Kingston Montessori
Maria Montessori
Often referred to as a woman ahead of her time, Dr. Maria Montessori studied psychology and medicine at the University of Rome. Montessori used her extensive knowledge of child development and observation of children to develop the world renowned Montessori method.
Montessori believed that when you follow the child and create an environment which supports their immediate and developmental needs, while also supporting their interests, you ultimately support the child as a whole and create the most optimal opportunity for learning experiences and outcomes.
The Prepared Environment
Montessori classrooms are referred to as the prepared environment. Each classroom is designed to meet all of the children needs; physical, social and cognitive. The environments are sensory rich, child directed and allow for both independent and group learning.
In Montessori classrooms you’ll find children of varying ages and abilities. The classrooms are comprised into three year age mixes which allows the children to take on different roles as they move through the program. The younger children look up to the older children and rely on them for assistance and guidance, while the older children take on responsibilities, acquire leadership skills and set an example for the younger children.
The Guide
In Montessori environments we refer to the teacher as the ‘guide’. We believe that each individual child is on their own journey of learning and we are simply guiding them towards what they need developmentally , and academically.
The guide is an adult who is Montessori trained or otherwise qualified to educate children according to the Montessori method. Each environment includes at least one prepared adult, depending on the size of the class. In larger classrooms we include Montessori assistants.
