"Our aim is not only to make the child understand, but to touch his imagination and to enthuse him to his innermost core. We do not want complacent pupils, but eager ones."

Dr. Maria Montessori

 

Montessori children are unusually adaptable. They have learned to work independently and in groups. Since they've been encouraged to make decisions from an early age, these children are problem-solvers who can make choices and manage their time well.

They have also been encouraged to exchange ideas and to discuss their work freely with others and good communication skills ease the way in new settings.

Research has shown that the best predictor of future success is a sense of self-esteem. Montessori programs, based on self-directed, non-competitive activities, help children develop good self images and the confidence to face challenge and change with optimism.

The "Whole Child Approach"

The primary goal of a Montessori program is to help each child reach full potential in all areas of life. Activities promote the development of social skills, emotional growth, and physical coordination as well as cognitive preparation. The holistic curriculum, under the direction of a specially prepared teacher, allows the child to experience the joy of learning, time to enjoy the process, and ensure the development of self-esteem, and provides the experiences from which children create their knowledge.

The Prepared Environment

In order for self directed learning to take place, the whole learning environment--room, materials, and social climate--must be supportive of the learner. The teacher provides necessary resources, including opportunities for children to function in a safe and positive climate. The teacher thus gains the children's trust, which enables them to try new things and build self-confidence.

The Montessori Materials

Dr. Montessori's observations of the kinds of things children enjoy and go to repeatedly led her to design a number of multi-sensory, sequential and self-correcting materials which facilitate the learning of skills and lead to learning of abstract ideas.

The Teacher

Originally called a "Directress," the Montessori teacher functions as designer of environment, resource person, role model, demonstrator, record-keeper and meticulous observer of each child's behavior and growth