What is Montessori?
Montessori is an individualized approach to learning. The teacher learns about each individual child's learning style through careful observation. The teacher then is able to determine what each child's learning needs are. The teacher presents large and small group lessons as well as individual lessons on the specialized Montessori materials. The child in the Montessori classroom has the freedom to be the leader of his/her own learning through carefully guided instruction. Each child has unique abilities which are cherished and shared in the classroom environment. We encourage children to be actively involved in their own learning and the learning of others. The children are presented with numerous opportunities to be leaders in the Montessori classroom environment. They are encouraged to participate in all activities. Through their involvement children learn to love and respect their environment the people within it. A child leaves a Montessori classroom a competent, respectful loving individual with a solid understand of where his place in the world is. He also leaves with a lifetime love of learning. If a child has had the opportunity to be apart of a Montessori classroom he will leave both cognitively and intellectually advanced when compared to his peers who have not had this opportunity.
Key Points About Montessori Education:
Specialized learning materials are presented to the children on a daily basis.
Small, large and individual lessons are given daily by the teacher.
The materials in a Montessori classroom are designed so that they meet the developmental and intellectual needs of the child working with them.
The carefully prepared classroom environment by a trained Montessori teacher makes the learning experience a truly remarkable experience for the children.
The "follow the child" concept- each child is taught based on their own developmentally needs through careful observation.
The idea that children learn naturally when provided with the proper learning environment and tools.
The materials are also designed for the children to succeed no matter what their skill level is.
Practical life activities lay the foundation in the Montessori classroom for necessary learning skills such as the ability to concentrate, multi-tasking, sense of responsibility, care of self, pride, and self-discipline.
The "whole-child" approach to learning- In the Montessori classroom the child's physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual needs are met through the materials, the curriculum, and the guidance from the teacher.
The children use their senses a great deal in the Montessori environment. The hands-on approach to learning allows the child to "absorb" information through the use of their senses. Touching, Seeing, Hearing, and at times smelling and tasting the materials that they are working with.
Creating a sense of belonging through the circle time activities, history and geography lessons: the children learn about their place in the world, people around the world, and about the world around them. It is important that children understand their role in the world and the difference that they can make as an individual in the classroom and in the world outside the classroom.
The children learn how to respect their environment, them self, and others around them through the role modeling by the teachers and through the activities that they are involved in.
No child is pushed or stifled in the Montessori classroom. We believe that children become "masters" of their own learning and they develop an inner desire to continually want to educate and challenge themselves.
The multi-age classroom (3-6 yrs.) encourages the older children to become leaders and teachers in their environment. While the older children are teaching and role modeling for the younger children, they are mastering their own skills and therefore increasing their knowledge. The younger children see the older children engaging in activities such as reading, adding numbers, and using the moveable alphabet and then they too want to be using those materials or "doing what the big kids are doing".
The idea that children learn from nature: by providing children with items from nature (bird nest, a children's garden, live animals) Children learn how to care for living things and also develop an understanding of how things live, what is necessary for things to stay alive, and about the life cycle of living things. They become witnesses to life as it is unfolding before their eyes. The develop a respect for life and living things all around them which in turn helps to develop inner-discipline and sense of self.
The idea that children between the ages of 2-6 yrs. have brains that are filled with energy and ready to "absorb" any information presented them. In the Montessori classroom we use this time period to provide children with an enormous amount of information in a way that does not involve memorization. The techniques used are those in which the teacher presents the information to the children using a hands-on approach which involves a child to use more than one of his senses. The child is then able to use the materials in the classroom at his own will. The individualized presentations re-enforce and further develop the skills that the child is being exposed to daily in the classroom.
Children become problem solvers and independent thinkers/learners: Children are encouraged to make decisions from an early age, the children are problem-solvers who can make appropriate choices and manage their time well.
Parent involvement is key to a successful Montessori experience for the child. The parents should get involved in their child's school experience by participating in school hosted activities and events. Volunteering time in the classroom to work with students on letter sounds, donating recycled items for art projects, being involved in fundraisers, helping with the Children's garden, attending curriculum nights are all ways to get involved and show your child that you are truly invested in their future and support their school and their education.
*Other schools may claim to be similar or "like" a Montessori school, but unless they have the specialized materials, practice the Montessori Methods of teaching by trained Montessori teachers they can not say or claim to be a Montessori school. Also, at a Montessori school at least one member of the staff should be a member of the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the school should be at least affiliated if not accredited by AMS.