Montessori Education

The Montessori approach to education is based upon the child's natural inner growth and spontaneous learning. Its goal is to foster the child's development in order that he/she is able to reach his/her full potential. To assist this purpose, children work in specifically prepared environments, which enable them to develop essential skills (for example critical thinking, concentration, independence and cooperation) while absorbing key academic concepts. Children take part in the joy of learning.

In this system, education becomes a preparation for life.

Dr. Maria Montessori believed that:

• Children function best under conditions of trust, free choice, support, encouragement and success.
• Children have an inherent drive to learn and develop.  There are optimal periods, referred to as sensitive periods, in which children are particularly responsive to environmental influences and able to acquire certain capacities or traits.
• Learning should be an active process.
• Children develop at different rates and have different strengths and weaknesses.
• Children should learn as cooperative members of a group.
• Children learn best when they are interested in the subject.
• Children gain decision making skills through the process of making choices.

Each of these principles is reflected in the Montessori system of education and in the materials and environments it employs.

• Dr. Maria Montessori
• Montessori Education
• The Prepared Environment
• Montessori is for All Ages