Why Montessori

We chose Montessori because it’s what we know well, and because:

Children learn at their own pace.

  • Montessori teachers are trained to track and interpret each child’s individual development and present new materials and lessons as the child’s skills progress.
  • Montessori classrooms provide 2–3 years for the student and teacher to build a trusting relationship that supports learning and independence.

Children learn together:

  • where children have the freedom to work with their peers or alone.
  • when children can learn from and teach each other.
  • when older students model positive group norms for younger students & also see themselves as leaders.

Children learn best when:

  • all their senses are engaged, and they enjoy learning
  • they receive individual short lessons which model the use of the materials and then can practice the skill independently
  • they choose their “work” and are able to deeply focus and be immersed in their work

Montessori Classrooms Are Well Researched and Are Designed for Children.

Montessori in the Classroom

In a beautiful classroom sized just for them, children confidently pursue the skills and knowledge they need.

Guided by highly trained adults and surrounded by materials created to appeal to and support their stage in development, the children gain social and educational skills to support lifelong learning and adult wellness.

Play is the work of the child.

– Dr. Maria Montessori

Montessori: A chance for the child to explore their natural curiosities

Overview

Centerpieces of the Montessori Experience

  • Pratical Life
  • Mathematical Mind
  • Sensorial
  • Language

What is Practical Life?

The everyday routines and practices of life such as caring for yourself and the enviroment.

The Mathematical Mind

In Montessori, mathematics lessons are more than numbers on paper.

Beautiful, interactive objects help teach through shapes, colors and physical examples of more advanced concepts.

Sensorial

Children use their senses to meet the world around them.

The sensorial materials in the Montessori classroom help the child become aware of details

Language

We read books and sing songs to play with words.

This oral language is the beginning.

Once a child has enough words to communicate well, we practice hearing the sounds that make up those words.

The Montessori Educational Method

Developed in the late 1800’s by Dr. Maria Montessori, a physician and scientist, the Montessori method grew out of her careful observation of children and how they naturally learn and grow.

In 1906 the first Montessori classroom, or “Children’s House” was opened in Rome serving very young children who were impacted by family poverty.

Dr. Montessori noticed something profound: young children when given a well-prepared classroom and freedom to explore naturally engaged in learning. They seek new skills which build off of skills they have learned. Growing brains are still grappling with language, so small children learn best with minimal verbal instruction, through movement, color, sensations, and repetition. Dr. Montessori designed a wide range of educational materials that are found today in Montessori classrooms.

Maria Montessori believed in children, and her classrooms were designed to allow them to explore, grow and gain confidence.

Maria MOntessori with children
Maria Montessori

The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn

– Dr. Maria Montessori

Monetssori guide with students at Alder Elementary