What is Montessori School?

A Montessori school provides an alternative to traditional education. Based on the principles of Dr. Maria Montessori and her visionary methods, Maria Montessori was an Italian physician who achieved fame because of her inventive teaching methods and her incredible insight into the mechanics behind the learning process of children.

The hands on approach of Montessori schools allow the student to be an active participant in his or her education.

Encompassing all grade levels, most Montessori schools offer programs beginning at age 3. The early childhood years are crucial for learning and setting the stage for future academic success. The brain undergoes tremendous growth between the ages of 2 and 6 and learning capabilities at this age are limitless.

Many parents choose Montessori preschools as a means of laying the foundational building blocks necessary to promote both social and academic growth.

The basic premise of a Montessori education is providing the children with an opportunity to learn at their own pace under the direct guidance of a teacher. Unlike traditional schools that have a one-size fits all method of teaching, Montessori teachers are trained to assess the individual needs of each child and encourage personal development according to exclusive needs.

Montessori School Curriculum

While covering the same subject matter as traditional schools, Montessori allows teachers to gauge what the individual child has learned and then lead him or her into new areas of personal development and academic discovery.

The atmosphere of a Montessori school fosters independence and personal growth by developing confidence and self esteem among the children. Respect for themselves and others is a part of the social responsibility curriculum commonly promoted in Montessori programs. The autonomous approach to learning is balanced with open social interaction among peers, allowing for the perfect combination of individual and social development.

Multi-Age Classes

Classrooms contain a mixed age of students with a range that spans 3 years. This is based on Maria Montessori’s concept that varying ages will guide each other in collective educational. Older children in the group learn leadership skills, acting as mentors to their younger counterparts, while the younger children achieve the benefit of hands on learning from their peers.

Open spaced classrooms have multiple work stations with an abundance of natural materials. During classroom lessons, small groups of children undergo educational instruction while the remainder are free to work independently at the station of choice. If a hands on, multi-faceted education that differs from a traditional classroom setting is what you want for your child, Montessori schools are worth inquiring about.

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