The Montessori Philosophy
The Montessori Method was first established in the early 1900's by a woman named Maria Montessori. Montessori was a woman ahead of her time. She was one of the first woman to attend the university of Rome and although faced with many hardships and scrutiny by fellow students she graduated as valedictorian in her year. Montessori was qualified to practice psychology and medicine but ended up devoting her life to the education of children. Through her expertise in child development and endless observation of children she created the world renowned, Montessori Method.
Montessori education starts at the infant level and can go all the way up until high school. It is a holistic approach, focusing on the whole child; mind, body and spirit. The method was created based off of child development and each level focuses on what the child needs in order to support their learning. Children aged 0-6 have what Montessori called, an Absorbent Mind. You may have heard the term 'sponge brain' used before to describe this period of development. During this period of development children have an incredible ability to absorb information and experiences. The Montessori prepared environment supports the child’s absorbent mind and helps to guide them on their journey of learning.
Montessori Programming
Educators, parents and experts would all agree that the first six years of a child’s life are very important, some may even say the most important years of all development. A child’s brain is 90% developed by the time they are six. This means the information and experiences they are exposed to during early childhood directly impacts their developing brain. The Montessori Philosophy supports the needs of the child’s ongoing development.
A Montessori education at the 0-6 level provides the following:
Freedom of movement
Freedom of choice
Purposeful activities
Peaceful Environments
1-1 & group lessons
Trained teachers who observe and plan lessons appropriate to each child
A mixed age group; this allows for children to learn from one another, develop leadership and responsibility while ultimately building their self confidence
Outdoor play and connection in nature
Holistic approach; focusing on the mind, body and spirit
A lifelong love of learning
“Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us by reason of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future.”