What is a Montessori School?
In 1896, Dr. Maria Montessori became the first female physician in Italy. With great interest in the healthy development of the child; she shifted her focus from her medical practice to her desire to understand children and how they learn.
Shortly after the turn of the century, she founded Casa dei Bambini, or “Children’s House”. It was here that the Montessori Method was developed based upon Dr. Montessori’s clinical observations of children and the ease at which they learn by absorbing knowledge “like a sponge”, and manipulating materials in their environment.
Montessori found that children have a profound ability and desire to teach themselves and dedicated her life-long work to the pursuit of educational reform and teacher training.
Montessori classrooms were originally named “Children’s Houses” because they were designed to be places where the perspective of the child was paramount. Continuing in this tradition, our classrooms, filled with developmentally appropriate activities, carefully chosen and beautifully prepared, and equipped with child sized furniture, communicate to the children that this is a special place for them.
When Dr. Montessori first designed her teaching materials, the concept of self-correction was very important to her. This self-correcting feature enables each child to develop independence, as well as fosters the child’s ability to progress at the pace that is unique and perfect for her.
Children in our school and daycare are encouraged to seek answers to their questions, to follow their interests, and to develop to their fullest potential. They are provided with hands-on materials that enable them to learn math, language, science and history, while at the same time, developing intellectual curiosity, self-respect, and respect for the world around them. The curriculum serves to answer each child’s needs, rather than binds each child in a rigid sequence. Children are motivated to learn and to excel, and consequently are empowered by feelings of intrinsic satisfaction and self confidence.
Each classroom is a living community. The children have the opportunity to establish friendships not just in their own age groups, but also with children younger and older than themselves. The mixed aged grouping create relationships that are satisfying to all.
