Montessori Classroom

Montessori classrooms provide a prepared environment where children are free to respond to their natural drive to work and learn. The children’s inherent love of learning is encouraged by giving them opportunities to engage in spontaneous, meaningful activities under the guidance of a trained adult. Through their work, the children develop concentration, motivation, persistence and discipline. Within this framework of order, the children progress at their own pace and rhythm, according to their individual capabilities during the crucial years of their development.
Montessori classrooms are designed for a three-year age mix to allow for both individual and social development. Each child’s unique personality is encouraged; each child is respected as an important member of a community.

 

Method of teaching

The Montessori approach to education is based on developmental principles and emphasizes the responsibility of adults to help the child actualize his inner potential. The role of the Montessori teacher in The Montessori School is one of guide and observer, whose ultimate goal is to intervene less and less as the child develops. The teacher builds an atmosphere of calm, order and joy in the classroom and encourages the children in all their efforts, thus promoting self-confidence and discipline. Knowing when to observe and intervene is a skill the Montessori teacher develops during a rigorous, specialized course of training at a recognized Montessori Training Center.

 

Who was Dr. Maria Montessori?

Dr. Maria Montessori graduated from the medical school of the university of Rome in 1896 and was the first woman to practice medicine in Italy. As a physician, Dr. Montessori was very involved with the care of young children. Through scientific observation, she came to see how children interacted with one another, learned through the use of materials she provided, and went through specific phases of development.
Her approach to education was developed based on her observations in collaboration with her background in psychology and her belief in the education of children as a means to create a better society. She continued to observe children around the world and found that the universal laws of development she had recognized were inherent to children of all races and cultures.

 

Why Montessori?

Scientific research has shown that:

• Cognition is optimized when movement is consistent with thinking.

• We learn best when we are interested in what we are learning about.

• Extrinsic rewards reduce motivation and level of performance once the rewards are removed.

• People thrive when they feel a sense of choice and control.

• We learn best when our learning is situated in meaningful contexts.