Montessori Philosophy
"
Montessori is a philosophy with the fundamental tenet that
a child learns best within a social environment which supports
each individual's unique development."
Canadian
Council of Montessori Administrators
Developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in the
early 1900's, this method of education is based on her scientific
observations of young children's behaviour. It has since flourished
throughout the world as parents learn of the importance of
early influences on their children's later successes. The
Montessori method is now followed in hundreds of schools around
the world, and its value proven by the experiences of thousands
of children who have benefited from the method in their early
lives.
The Montessori method is successful because
it contains four unique elements.
The first element is an individual 'whole
child' approach to education. As the primary goal of a Montessori
program is to help each child reach their full potential in
all areas of their lives, activities promote the development
of social skills, emotional growth and physical coordination
as well as cognitive preparation. The carefully prepared curriculum,
under the direction of a qualified teacher, allows your child
to experience the joy of learning, allows time for the process
of learning and provides experiences from which children create
and own their knowledge.
The second element of a
Montessori education is the "prepared environment' in
which the whole learning environment - the room, the materials
and social climate - is supportive of the learner. It is not
enough to simply provide a room, some toys and a supervisor.
All the elements which will influence and support your child
are carefully planned and balanced. The materials your child
will work with, the activities - both individual and group,
and the teacher's support through providing learning opportunities
and a safe and positive environment are all part of the overall
Montessori learning environment.
The Third element is the
specifically designed Montessori materials. Dr. Montessori
made careful observations of the things and activities children
enjoy and repeatedly go back to. She used these observations
to design a number of multi-sensory, sequential and self-
correcting materials which facilitate the development of learning
skills and lead to your child's natural construction of knowledge.
These materials help your child to discover and develop language
skills, mathematical principles, the senses and to develop
an awareness of the world around us.
The fourth element is the
Montessori teacher. A Montessori teacher functions as the
designer of the classroom experience and facilitator of your
child's learning, and is charged with the meticulous observation
of your child's learning and growth. Our teachers have both
training and experience in early childhood education and Montessori
methodology.
What you can expect from Montessori
The Montessori Method has been called an
indirect teaching method because it neither imposes on the
children nor does it abandon them in total free play. Instead,
it provides a carefully planned and structured environment
in which they can grow and learn in a natural way, but with
the best possible opportunities for reaching their maximum
potential.
The Montessori class operates on a principle
of freedom within limits. Each class has its set of ground
rules based on respect for each other and for their environment.
A child moves freely around the Montessori classroom, working
with any equipment and asking the teacher to introduce new
material. A child is not free to disturb children who are
working nor abuse the equipment or environment which is so
important to them all.
Children are free to work at their own pace
with the materials they have chosen, either alone or with
others. The teacher observes each child and determines which
new activities and materials to introduce with the aim to
encourage active self-directed learning and at the same time,
strike a balance of individual mastery with small group collaboration
for the whole class.
Reading
- Maria Montessori: The Absorbent Mind
- Maria Montessori: Dr. Montessori's Own
Handbook. A short Guide to her Ideas and Materials
- Paula Polk Lillard: Montessori. A Modern
Approach
- Aline D. Wolf, A Parent's Guide to the
Montessori Classroom
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