The internationally known “Montessori Method” is based on the idea that education is an aid to life. Dr.Maria Montessori, Italy’s first female physician and one of the first developmental psychologists, developed the Montessori Method in 1907. Her method fosters a deep respect for each child’s innate desire to learn and develop to his/her fullest potential. The philosophy behind the Montessori Method is to stimulate and facilitate each child’s interest in learning with little to no adult intervention. To accomplish this tremendous task, each child must have the freedom to explore his/her own potential through interaction within a prepared environment. However, the freedom of each child is balanced with a sense of responsibility within non-restrictive boundaries. By fostering such independence, the child can become his/her own teacher and develop his/her own intellectual, emotional, and physical powers. The Montessori Method is meant to assist individual children in acquiring the skills and confidence necessary to succeed in mastering self-discipline and developing a true love for learning.
The Montessori Classroom:
Children in the Montessori environment learn how to think, learn, communicate, and behave responsibly. Through stimulating, multi-sensory, self-teaching and self-correcting Montessori materials, each child can experience the joy of discovery while actively learning.
The materials and curriculum center around practical life, sensorial, language, math, geography, science, art, music, drama, and dance providing an integrated education that allows each child to develop intellectually, socially, and physically.
Teachers guide and support the child’s developing intelligence by carefully preparing the environment to meet the individual needs of each child. Each child works for his/her own satisfaction at his/her own pace both individually and within groups. The teacher will keep detailed records of each child’s progress after careful observation.
The classroom environment promotes self-discipline by balancing freedom with responsibility.
The multi-age community encourages the children to work out his/her own social relationships and resolve conflict, which promotes tolerance and respect for others. The multi-age community also allows each child to develop a sense of motivation, leadership and followership.
The active involvement of parents and family members will help reinforce the concepts and ideas of the Montessori classroom.
After leaving a Montessori school, children will have developed the skills and confidence to make a smooth transition to other schools and educational methodologies.