The Montessori Approach
Maria Montessori was clearly ahead of her time, and her core principles—that effective learning is self-directed and calls for the development of the whole person—uniquely prepares your child for our fast-changing world.
Montessori education is designed to help your child maximize potential. We provide an educational environment that is purposefully designed to meet your child’s unique developmental characteristics, with adults who are specifically trained to observe and put your child in touch with exactly what is needed at that very moment to learn. Some of the primary hallmarks of the Montessori approach that set it apart from traditional education:
Multi-age Groupings
Multi-age groupings of children help them learn at their own pace in three-year cycles of class groupings. Older children often serve as role models and helpers for younger children, and younger children are motivated to stretch in order to access the exciting activities that their older peers are enjoying. This enhanced social interaction welcomes both inclusion and accountability, setting the stage for developing independence within successful learning communities.
Spontaneous Activity
Spontaneous activity including hands-on, sequential, self-correcting materials are designed to ignite the child’s interest towards self-directed learning and discovery. Children often call this their “work, “ mirroring adult language, but creativity, exploration and experimentation are encouraged rather than rote memorization of facts. Children proudly feel that they taught themselves a new skill or concept because work with the materials helps them expand their innate abilities. This helps to nurture confidence and love of learning, which is critical in the first six years of life.
The Prepared Environment
Each Montessori classroom is a home-away-from home for children with places to work, rest, prepare food, clean up, explore, and learn together in a family-like setting. Because Montessori recognizes the connection between purposeful movement and learning, our activities encourage ample movement. Teachers invest thoughtful planning and attention ahead of time to create beautiful, orderly environments with natural elements, plants, pets, and carefully crafted spaces to awaken curiosity and connection. The children know that their contributions to the care of the environment are part of how they experience community--where everyone gives and everyone benefits.
“You all are doing an absolutely unbelievable job. We had negative experiences with our son’s preschool and were apprehensive about starting [our child] in a preschool. Everyone has been amazing—we shouldn’t have worried! [Our lead teacher] has a deep well of patience and clear passion for guiding these kiddos. Our child loves shaking her hand every morning and that interaction gives our shy girl confidence. All the assistant teachers also have that same calming presence which the children absolutely feel. We are so glad we chose you all!”
- E.C., Parent
Individualized Instruction
Montessori teachers are trained to plan for developmentally-appropriate activities and present new material to children individually based upon each child’s strengths, interests, needs and progress. There is no one-size-fits all approach. Because every child is different, every child deserves an approach as unique as they are along the path to independence.
Uninterrupted Time
Montessori was one of the first pioneers to promote the idea that children work best with longer blocks of uninterrupted time in order to facilitate creative learning. Rather than herding children through one group activity after another, the classroom areas invite children to work with a chosen activity as long as they like, in order to support their growing sense of concentration and flow.
The Role of the Guide
Montessori teachers see themselves as caring facilitators to the child’s development and learning, and so many call themselves Guides. Instead of giving the same lesson at the same time for an entire group of children (and hoping for the best), Montessori guides individualize teaching and invest in building a relationship of safety and trust first–both with the child and their family–in order to facilitate optimal learning and growth. Montessori guides are dedicated to careful observation and strive to be impeccable role models of lifelong learning.
Freedom Within Limits
Looks a little different at each age level, but is always grounded within profound respect for each child’s innate potential and inner guide within the context of a classroom community. In the infant environment, babies are free to explore their carefully crafted surroundings under the loving and encouraging care of the adults. There are no high-chairs, bouncy seats or other contraptions that can become an obstacle to their physical development which is so critical in the first couple years of life. In the toddler area, children come to trust consistent routines that protect a sense of emotional safety as they engage in purposeful practical life activities that help them develop important life skills such as feeling that they are able to contribute as valued members. The three-through-six year old community share group agreements to care for themselves, each other, and their environment and within those limits, they enjoy a lot of freedom to make vital connections with one another and classroom life.
But What Exactly is Montessori Education?
At its core, Montessori education simply is a way of being with children that allows individual children to develop fully into the person they are destined to be. Just as you make every effort to ensure your home is loving and safe – so your child feels secure and well-adjusted – we work diligently to ensure the physical environment, the teachers, and the student community will meet your child’s needs with respect and support at each step through this educational journey.