Montessori

Montessori
The Montessori method also originated in Italy and was founded by a well known early childhood educator, Maria Montessori. Montessori developed several specific materials intended to make abstract concepts concrete. She also focused on children as individuals who are capable of selecting and carrying out their own work tasks. Children are first introduced to materials by the teacher/Directress and then given ample opportunity to engage with the materials on their own. The Montessori method focuses on various areas of development including:

Practical Life: Developing an understanding of grace and courtesy, care of one's self, and care of the environment.

Sensorial: Developing the five senses through the hands-on manipulation of developmentally appropriate materials, learning to observe and explore the environment

Mathematics: Children are given a solid basis in mathematical understanding through the use of manipulatives and concrete materials, as a child grows and develops this basic understanding leads to a grasp of abstract mathematical concepts

Language Arts: The early years focus on building phonemic awareness through the use of concrete materials and helping a child develop the coordination needed for writing, in the later years children explore the structure and function of language

Culture: Children are given the opportunity first to explore the world around them, and then to find their "place" within the universe through science, history, geography, social studies, music, and the arts.

Important aspects of the Montessori method we incorporate in our classroom include:

Mixed Age Grouping
Our philosophy of mixed-age class groups is based on Montessori's belief that children learn best in a mixed age environment where the younger children can be nurtured and guided by older children, who develop mastery of skills by sharing their knowledge with others. Montessori identified various "planes of development" in which children are naturally inclined to develop specific skills. Children in the "early childhood" plane (0-6) are focused on individual creation of the person, this is a time where the child's mind is in an "absorbent" phase, much like a sponge--sucking up knowledge and information from the environment. Children in the "childhood" plane (6-12) are focused on "cosmic education" or an exploration of where one fits within the world as a whole. Our age groupings are based on these conceptual planes.


Extended Work Periods
Montessori believed children need the opportunity to actively explore without undue interruptions. While we do not completely follow Montessori's "3 hour work cycle" we do try to focus on natural transitions that allow the children to find a balance between their own self-initiated activities and teacher-guided lessons and activities. We strive to minimize meaningless transitions and focus on the individual needs of each child throughout the day.


Didactic (Self Correcting) Materials
Montessori developed numerous specialized learning materials intended to make abstract concepts concrete, specifically during the early childhood years. We have a full selection of these materials and children are provided access to them throughout the day.