Montessori is an educational philosophy based on the belief that
a child learns best within a social environment that supports and
nurtures each individual's unique development pattern. Montessori
education was founded by Dr. Maria Montessori.
Who was Maria Montessori?
Born in 1870, Dr. Maria Montessori, the first woman graduate in
Italy to become certified as a medical doctor, developed an educational
method that still challenges the way we think about teaching our
children. She based her educational methods on scientific observations
made while working with a number of children from different cultural,
social, and economic backgrounds. This in turn led to specific epiphanies
regarding children's learning processes. One of her observations
was that young children learn best in a homelike setting surrounded
by developmentally appropriate materials that provide life experiences.
Through observations, Dr. Montessori indicated that:
Children must be respected as individuals
who are different from adults
Children create themselves through purposeful
activity
The most important years for learning are
from birth to age six
Children possess unusual sensitivity and
mental powers for absorbing and learning from their environment,
which includes people as well as materials.
Why Montessori Education?
Montessori Education promotes a child's total development. Montessori
helps all children achieve their potential without pressure or competition.
A child is free to challenge themselves at their own pace without
feeling ahead or left behind. Montessori education recognizes the
individual potential in every child and guides each child to discover
that potential.
How does it work?
Every Central Montessori School classroom operates on the principle
of freedom within limits and is based on core Montessori beliefs
- respect for each other and the environment.
The child is free to work at his/her own pace, with the materials
they have chosen. The directress relies on her scientific observation
to determine which new activities to introduce to the child. The
aim is to encourage active, positive and self-directed learning.
The younger children are inspired and motivated asking for explanations,
while older children share what they have learnt while simultaneously
reinforcing their own learning and leadership skills. This encourages
an atmosphere of inspiration and co-operation.
