Montessori Philosophy
The Montessori Method of Education was founded by Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952), an Italian physician. It is a method of teaching children that offers individualized learning opportunities to assist in a child's development of social, cognitive, physical, and creative skills. Dr. Montessori viewed children with enormous respect for their natural desire to learn.
She designed unique materials which are manipulative, didactic, and sequential. Through exploration and manipulation of the specialized Montessori apparatus, children develop such skills as co-ordination of movement, sensorial awareness, concentration, language and number concepts.
Montessori methods and materials were created to provide for the needs of the child at each stage of growth. By observing the child, the specially trained Montessori teacher determines when the child is ready to be guided to the next level of exploration.
In the prepared learning environment of the Montessori classroom, children gain independence, self-confidence, and inner discipline through their choice of purposeful activities. It is a calm, trusting, non-competitive atmosphere wherein children independently choose the work that interests them. The freedom to choose activities helps the children to develop concentration, which is essential for all further learning. Children delight in learning and build a firm foundation of work habits. Mixed age groups provide opportunities for peer learning and teaching. Respect for others and their work is fostered in a Montessori classroom.