Page 9 - parent handbook 2024-25 FINAL FLIP

The Montessori Method
The Montessori Method of education, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, is a child-centered educational approach based on scientific observations of children from birth to adulthood. Dr. Montessoriʼs Method has been time tested, with over 100 years of success in diverse cultures throughout the world. It is a view of the child as one who is naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a supportive and thoughtfully prepared learning environment. It is an approach that values the human spirit and the development of the whole child-physical, social, emotional and cognitive.
Hallmarks of Montessori that are necessary for a program to be considered authentically Montessori include multi-age groupings that foster peer learning, uninterrupted blocks of work time, and guided choice of work activity. In addition, a full complement of specially designed Montessori learning materials are meticulously arranged and available for use in an aesthetically pleasing environment. The teacher, child, and environment create a learning triangle. The classroom is prepared by the teacher to encourage independence, freedom within limits, and a sense of order. The child, through individual choice, makes use of what the environment offers to develop himself, interacting with the teacher when support and/or guidance is needed.
The Prepared Environment is an important part of Montessori. It is the link for a child to learn from adults. Classrooms are thoughtfully designed with child-sized furnishings and the activities are set up for the childʼs success and allows freedom of movement and choice. The environment has to be safe for the child to explore freely. The environment has to be ready and beautiful for the children so it invites them to work. Montessori refers to work as an activity the child does. She calls it work since it is through this that they create themselves. The adultʼs role then is to construct the environment
in which they will learn. The development of the child is therefore dependent on the environment.
Sensitive Periods were observed by Dr. Montessori. The children experience windows of opportunity as they grow. As their students develop, Montessori teachers match appropriate lessons and materials
to these sensitive periods when learning is most naturally absorbed and internalized.
The Absorbent Mind is what Maria Montessori called how children learned the language without anyone teaching them. This sparked her idea for the “absorbent mind”. Children under the age of three, do not need to have lessons in order to learn, they simply absorb everything in the environment by experiencing it, being part of it.
Independence is the ultimate goal for a Montessori student. “Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.” –Maria Montessori. It is always a goal of Montessori education in the class rooms to make the child independent and be able to do things for himself. This is achieved by giving children opportunities. Opportunities to move, to dress themselves, to choose what they want to do, and to help the adults with tasks. When the children are able to do things for themselves there is an increase in their self-confidence and esteem that they will carry on throughout their life.