What is Montessori?
Montessori is a philosophy and teaching method developed by Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952) in Europe during the early 1900’s. She is the founder of the Montessori Method of education.
The Montessori philosophy advocates independence and self-reliance; emphasizing that a child’s early education should be reality oriented and should aid the development of the child’s physical, mental, social and emotional being.
Dr. Maria Montessori identified the fact that all children pass through a “sensitive period” for sensory-motor activities; this is a time in which they experience a keen interest in touching, tasting, smelling, seeing, hearing and exploring everything with which they come in contact.
The Montessori philosophy allows children to acquire a love for and joy in work; there is satisfaction in completing a well-done task. But, the greatest importance is found in their realization of who they are and their development as secure individuals.
Dr. Montessori discovered that children possess amazing mental concentration and a love for repetition and order. If allowed to choose their own activities, they preferred work to play and needed no reward or punishment.
She developed teaching materials termed “didactic,” which allow children to develop at their own rate of speed through a particular skill or conceptual level. If material is presented at the appropriate time, accordingly, the child will absorb the information and use it as a foundation for her or his future accomplishments.
Most of all, Montessori’s philosophy stresses the innate potential of the child to develop in environmental conditions of freedom and love.
The aim of our School and Staff is to help your child develop knowledge, self-awareness, self-esteem and independence as well as to continue our willingness to set a positive example for your child.