Why Montessori

Why Montessori

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. Montessori's Method has been used for over 100 years in many parts of 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, thoughtfully prepared learning environment. It is an approach that values the human spirit and the development of the whole child—physical, social, emotional, cognitive.

Mixed age classrooms

Student choice of activity from within a prescribed range of options.

A constructiveness or "discovery" model, where students learn concepts from working with materials, rather than by direct instruction.

Specialized educational materials developed by Montessori and her collaborators often made from natural, aesthetic materials such as wood, rather than plastic.

Uninterrupted blocks of work time, ideally three hours.

A trained Montessori teacher who follows the child and is highly experienced in observing the individual child's characteristics, tendencies, innate talents and abilities.

A thoughtfully prepared environment where materials are organized by subject area, within reach of the child, and are appropriate in size. Freedom of movement within the classroom.