Montessori Facts
The Montessori approach to education offers a learning environment through teaching and manipulating objects. Children that are under the age of six tune into everything that stimulates their senses: shapes, sounds, textures and tastes. They are ready to take on their environment through movement and language which taps into the "absorbent mind" period. Because of the absorbent mind preschool children do not need direct teaching to learn. The Montessori classroom provides an environment that lets the child move, touch, manipulate and explore. Work is chosen without interference and the children are allowed to work independently. This helps the child build increased consentration and self disapline. The classroom is a multi-age setting which allows the children to learn from each other, and they learn because of each other. The classroom is a child-centered community where they are treated with respect and dignaty. The classroom is designed to facilitate independent learning and exploration. The space is divided into seven areas including: practical life, sensoral, mathematics, science, geography, art and language. Music is integrated into the environment as a part of day to day activites. The Montessori material used in the classroom are beautiful manipulative objects that are self correcting. In the spring the children will experince working outdoors as an extention of the classroom through gardening, labeling trees, studing clouds and so on. Nature is a part of the indoor classroom through plant care, flower arranging and care of classrorom animals.
A Montessori teacher's role is to work with the inner motivation of the the child in ways that will enhance the child's process of self. The Montessori teacher never unnecessarly interferes or corrects the child during work. There are always lessons provided that are approprate for the child developmental stage to ensure success and interest in the activity.
A Montessori teacher's role is to work with the inner motivation of the the child in ways that will enhance the child's process of self. The Montessori teacher never unnecessarly interferes or corrects the child during work. There are always lessons provided that are approprate for the child developmental stage to ensure success and interest in the activity.