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Why Choose Montessori Education ?
Discover how the Montessori Method can transform your child’s life

All parents hope to find the best educational program for their children. And they recognize the lasting impact that early learning experiences have on a child’s development and future learning. What is it about the Montessori philosophy and practice that is so appealing to parents?

For more than a century, Montessori has been thriving around the globe, and contemporary research validates the effectiveness of the Montessori Method. Several key elements of the approach meet the educational goals today’s parents have for their children, including growing into capable people who will be have a strong sense of self, the ability to connect with others, and the potential to be productive throughout their lives. With Montessori, that growth starts early. The early years (birth through age 6) are a critical time to set a strong foundation for who a child will become and the role she or he will play in the future.

A Montessori education develops students who are capable, accountable, knowledgeable people who have the strong sense of self they will need to thrive in the real world.

Montessori Education: Designed initially for preschool aged children, consists of a learning process based on each child’s freedom of choice within a carefully prepared physical environment.

The Montessori philosophy: Recognizes each child’s inborn desire for self-development as the source of all learning. The environment of the Montessori classroom is designed to support children in their own process of self-development.

The Montessori Teachings: Assist children in their learning process by encouraging them in the use and mastery of specially designed self-instructional materials. The teacher uses techniques of observation, questioning, and presentation of materials and the establishment of certain limits. The Montessori Method: is dynamic in that observation and meeting of needs is continual and specific for each child.

The Montessori Method: This is dynamic in that observation and meeting of needs is continual and specific for each child.

Montessori and Your Child
Montessori is for life

Montessori extends far beyond the classroom. The approach to learning reaches into homes, families, communities, and the world at large. Montessori is for life.

Montessori places an emphasis on your child’s holistic development, seeing it as the key to their becoming a capable individual who will find internal fulfillment, professional productivity, and human connection throughout their life.

When you send your child to Montessori, you are helping to nurture his academic curiosity as well as responsibility; establish a steady moral compass; and encourage social-emotional intelligence that allows him to connect happily and productively with others.

Montessori Method Of Education

Montessori education, designed initially for preschool aged children, consists of a learning process based on each child’s freedom of choice within a carefully prepared physical environment. The Montessori philosophy recognizes each child’s inborn desire for self-development as the source of all learning. The environment of the Montessori classroom is designed to support children in their own process of self-development.

The Montessori teachings assist children in their learning process by encouraging them in the use and mastery of specially designed self-instructional materials. The teacher uses techniques of observation, questioning, and presentation of materials and the establishment of certain limits.

The Montessori Method is dynamic in that observation and meeting of needs is continual and specific for each child. Montessori is not a therapy nor is it an approach useful only with certain categories of special children.


Who developed the Montessori Method?

The Montessori “method” was developed in the early 1900’s in Rome, Italy by Maria Montessori, an Italian physician-educator.


Is Montessori affiliated with a religion?

Montessori is not affiliated with any religion. Church schools as well as private and public schools use the Montessori curriculum worldwide.

Who was Maria Montessori?

Dr. Maria Montessori, born in 1870, was the first woman to receive a medical degree in Italy. She worked in the fields of psychiatry, education and anthropology and never published a theory until she had observed it for many years, with children of all social classes and in many countries

Working with underprivileged children in Rome in the early 1900’s, Dr. Montessori discovered that young children became absorbed in a serious interaction with specialized, manipulative materials. Through this interaction and experience, the children developed an extraordinarily high level of intellectual and social ability at a very young age.

Expanding her study of the young child, she gradually refined her approach (the Montessori Method) to all child development areas through her experience and research in various countries, including Spain and India. She believed that each child is born with a unique potential to be revealed, rather than as a “blank slate” waiting to be written upon.

Her main contributions to the work of those of us raising and educating children are in these areas:
  • Learning to prepare the best environment for the child, according to the different stages of life.
  • Learning to observe the child living freely in this environment, and to continually adapt the environment for the ever-changing child, in order that he may fulfil his greatest potential, physically mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

There are many books written about her amazing discoveries and Montessori teacher training centers and schools exist on all continents today. The Montessori method became a significant influence in the U.S. in the early 1960’s as parents and educators began to appreciate the importance of early childhood education.

Dr. Maria Montessori died in 1952.

Excerpt from Michael Olaf’s Essential Montessori, 1994 - 1995

Who can benefit from a Montessori education?

The Montessori Method is effective with children in preschool, elementary school and high school. In addition, Montessori techniques can be used successfully with gifted children, the learning disabled and other “special” children.

Through experiences in a properly prepared Montessori classroom, the child acquires an increased ability to concentrate, an attitude of self-discipline, and a sense of order. These newly developed characteristics prepare the child for the challenging social and intellectual tasks that occur throughout life.

Many people think of the term “Montessori” as applied to communities of children between ages three and six. However, the discoveries of Maria Montessori are valuable for anyone living and working with children in any situation. There have been Montessori birth attendants and Assistants to Infancy in Europe since 1947, and they now exist in the US. There are Montessori schools for children up to age eighteen within public schools and as private schools. And many parents are using Dr. Montessori’s discoveries to raise their children at home.

Montessori can also help adults. For example, several U.S. corporations have embraced the Montessori Method as they problem-solve in today’s challenging business environment.

How is a Montessori class structured?

A Montessori class is ungraded, with an age span covering several years [18 months - 3 yrs.] “toddler”, [3-6]“Early Childhood”, [6-9], and [9-12]. There is a wide range of activities available to the children at all ages and maturity levels, which reinforces and makes possible the Montessori ideals of individualized work, success and independence.

The combination of age differences allows the children the opportunity to learn from each other and permits the older children to reinforce their knowledge by sharing their skills with the younger children.

We believe that the third year at the Early Childhood Level (Kindergarten age) is of unique importance and we encourage five-year-old children to remain with the Early Childhood level class.

What is the teacher’s role in a Montessori classroom?

Since Montessori believes that children learn best through their own efforts, the role of the Montessori teacher is that of an “objective observer.” The goal is to help the child achieve independence and accept responsibility for their own actions and their own learning. The teacher’s job is to prepare an environment that teaches-- constantly adding new manipulative materials for the child to learn specific concepts. Teachers are trained to identify learning challenges and recognize developmental delays so the child will receive help quickly.

What is the training Montessori teachers receive?

There are training programs for certifying teachers in Infant/Toddler, Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education. Each program consists of Montessori philosophy, academic studies, observation, internship and research.

Training is available through nine major training associations requiring private Post Secondary Education authorization. Many colleges / universities offer Montessori Certification as part of their Education Program.

Qualified Montessori Teachers earn a diploma, which they display proudly in their classrooms.

Are there any group activities in a Montessori class?

Although the emphasis in Montessori is on a child’s ability to grow and progress on an individual basis, there are ample opportunities for them to socialize with the other children in the class. There are regular gatherings of the class as a whole for activities such and lunch, line time, storytelling, music, planning for future events and for discussion of matters relating to the group as a whole.

What is the Montessori concept of discipline?

Discipline is achieved by giving the child interesting, challenging work, whereby the child learns to focus, concentrate and complete meaningful tasks. Dr. Montessori found that many undisciplined children were really frustrated by the lack of proper stimulation For their mind or by inappropriate adult interference.

When a child’s intellectual energies are utilized in a constructive manner, there is no energy left over for mischievousness or deviation. When the children are totally absorbed and happy at what they are doing, then a true “inner discipline” is achieved.

Do you issue Progress Reports?

Written progress reports are given out once a year for all children. Conferences with the teacher can be arranged at any time, but we have one scheduled conference each year.

Montessori schools do not use an “ABC” grading system. The teachers are trained to test the children with the use of the Montessori learning materials and to move the children ahead as they are ready for new skills. A detailed curriculum plan is followed; progress is documented and kept in the child’s permanent record. Teachers keep the parents informed when a child is having a learning challenge in any area.

Parents need to be aware that the Montessori environment is exceptionally broad and experientially rich for children. It does not demand specific grade level achievement for young children, rather it encourages an interest and an excitement in all learning endeavours. The test data is only one way the staff measures the child’s progress.

How will my child respond when leaving the Montessori environment for another school?

The goal of a Montessori education is that children will develop problem-solving skills to help them adjust to any new situation– socially or academically. The Montessori philosophy sets no limits on what children can achieve and respects the fact that children learn at different rates. As a result, children develop a strong self-image because of the successful accomplishments they have had every day at traditional curricula.

In a non-Montessori (particularly public school) environment, Montessori children will often need enrichment activities to challenge them. Most children will miss their freedom to make choices and to move freely in their environment. Peer teaching is encouraged in Montessori and they may not find this philosophy in other programs.

It has been our experience that most transitions are made quickly because the children are flexible and able to adjust. Many of our students return yearly to visit on holidays or to join us for the summer.

How can I learn more about the Montessori Method?

There are several books and videos on the subject, as well as information on the internet. Following is a partial listing of helpful references: Books

By Dr. Maria Montessori
  • The Montessori Method
  • The Absorbent Mind
  • The Secret of Childhood
  • The Discovery of the Child
By Paula Polk Lillard
  • Montessori: A Modern Approach
  • Montessori Today: a comprehensive approach to ‘education from Birth to Adulthood
Websites

There is an extensive list of websites available from a variety of sources. Included are:

  • www.montessori.org
  • www.montessori.edu
  • www.montessori.com
  • www.amshq.org