Montessori education is designed to help children with their task of inner construction as they grow from childhood to maturity. It succeeds because it draws its principles from the natural development of the child. The inherent flexibility allows the method to adapt to the needs of the individual, regardless of the level of ability, learning style or social maturity. The Montessori approach offers a broad vision of education as an aid to life. It is the task of each child to develop himself into as complete a human being as possible. Nature has endowed young children with absorbent minds and acute sensitivities, allowing them to acquire certain kinds of knowledge and abilities more wholly before age six, than at any time later life. How successfully each child accomplishes this task in the early years has great bearing not only on the amount of knowledge and skill he will have at his command in later years, but, more importantly, the attitudes toward himself, his world, and learning that he embraces. Montessori education is based on a heart-felt respect for this task of the child, and on a careful observation of the process by which it is accomplished. What we offer is a thoughtful response to this natural unfolding so that, in each case, it can be as successful and complete as possible. Discovering the joys of learning and developing social and intellectual discipline lay the foundation for a happy, productive life. The children develop an appreciation for the world while becoming responsible human beings and active members of a harmonious society.Montessori education achieves these goals, by supporting the following truths about learning, which are based on scientific observation.
Children have particular needs, many which vary according to their developmental stage (planes of development.)
For example, all children need an ordered, loving environment. They all must do things themselves to learn best how to do it. They all also need respect as capable, independent workers. Additionally, Primary children need real learning experiences for their absorbent mind and they need opportunities to build skills when they are most able and willing to learn (sensitive periods). Elementary children need opportunities to use and challenge their reasoning minds and imaginations. They also need opportunities to collaborate and discover what is “right” and “wrong”. Montessori education provides what children need when they need it. This supports each child’s optimal development.
Each child has natural abilities — strengths and challenges.
Montessori education assures that children learn all the “necessary” information for success in future schooling, while giving them the opportunity to develop optimally both their individual strengths and gain coping skills to work with their challenges.
Each child learns best at his/her own style and pace.
Montessori provides the opportunity to learn from different senses and with different approaches. Additionally, multi-age classrooms naturally allow children to develop at their own pace without stigma both for advanced learners and learners with particular challenges. Older children reinforce what they have learned by giving lessons to younger children. The result is a deep sense of caring and respect for each other.
Learning ultimately belongs to each child.
Each child ultimately determines what to learn (not memorize and forget), who to become, and how to fit into society. Each child learns best what he/she wants to learn. Montessori education creates an environment where children want to learn — this supports optimal individual learning.