Blog Post

Fast Facts: What is Montessori?

Lisa Lavora • May 28, 2020

Montessori education is an approach to learning that was developed by an Italian physician and educator,  Dr. Maria Montessori , more than a century ago—and is now changing the face of education worldwide. Read on to learn more about the key components of a Montessori education from the American Montessori Society.

Montessori Center School Program Levels

  • Pre-Primary (18 months – 3 years)
  • Primary (ages 3 – 6)
  • Lower and Upper Elementary (ages 6 – 9 and 9 – 12)

Key underpinnings:

  • Honors the human spirit and the development of the whole child—physical, social, emotional, cognitive.
  • It encompasses a view of the child as one who is naturally eager for knowledge.
  • It is based on ideals of equity, inclusion, and social justice.
  • It also focuses on the care of self, others, and the environment.

Additional distinctive features:

  • Classes are multi-age (3-year age span).
  • Individual students follow their own interests while also learning from others.
  • Time is given to enable students to explore and internalize concepts and ideas at their own pace while working toward individualized learning goals.
  • Teachers serve as guides and mentors, systematically observing and assessing students’ progress and providing them with support/tools so that they may take ownership of their own learning and growth.
  • Learning takes place across a variety of modalities: visual, auditory, tactile, etc.

Given the freedom and support to question, probe deeply, and make connections, Montessori students grow up to be critical thinkers, and confident, enthusiastic, and self-directed learners and citizens, accountable to themselves, their community, and the world.

There are 5 essential components to a high-quality Montessori program:

  • Properly trained Montessori teachers –  Our MCS teachers have command of Montessori philosophy, Montessori curriculum, classroom management, and child development.
  • Multi-age classrooms –  Students benefit from differentiated learning based on abilities, not age. Self-esteem is built on personal accomplishments rather than comparison with same-age peers.
  • Use of specially designed Montessori learning materials –  Hands-on, interactive, and engaging, they enable students to learn through discovery.
  • Student-directed work –  Students are intrinsically motivated, and learn about their personal strengths and ability to improve.
  • Uninterrupted work periods –  Working freely and at their own pace on self-selected activities, students develop concentration, time-management skills, and a love for learning.

 

To learn more about our academic program, please contact our Director of Admissions, Alyssa Morris, [email protected], 805-683-9383 x104.

 

Source: American Montessori Society

 

 

Share by: