Dr. Maria Montessori’s approach to education stemmed from a solid grounding in Biology, Psychiatry, and Anthropology. She studied children of many races and cultures, in many countries around the world. She found that children followed certain laws of human development, regardless of their culture. She formulated her educational method based on the universal, natural stages of human development.
Montessori discovered that there are basic needs and tendencies that all humans share, regardless of time and place. She also found that there are unique gifts of the brain that are only present in the early years of life. These discoveries have been confirmed by contemporary psychology and brain research. These powers of the young mind are known as the Absorbent Mind and Sensitive Periods.
The Absorbent Mind allows unlimited amounts of information to be absorbed without effort. It has the unique ability to absorb all aspects of the environment (physical, mental, and spiritual) without effort or fatigue. By age six, this gift disappears so the first six years of life are crucial.
Sensitive periods are limited periods of time when the child shows a strong attraction toward a particular aspect of the environment. During these Sensitive Periods a child can acquire knowledge or skills more perfectly than any other time. This unique power of the brain also fades by age six.
A trained Montessori teacher can identify Sensitive Periods for different areas of development and encourage learning accordingly. Presentations are given individually, based on the teacher’s observation of the child’s interests and developmental needs. The teacher aims to present activities that are not to easy or too challenging, finding the perfect match as to create optimal conditions for learning. The children’s innate passion for learning is encouraged by giving the opportunity to engage in spontaneous, purposeful activities with the guidance of a trained teacher. All presentations are given in a progression, assisting the child in natural development.
Individual work is encouraged. Once a child receives a lesson she can practice with the material as often as she wants. Through their work, they develop concentration, motivation, persistence, and discipline. Learning takes place within the child through practice and interactive exploration with the materials, not through a directive lesson from the adult.
This expanded vision of education is an aid to life, designed to help the task of inner construction. The format adapts to each child’s inner directives, and freely guides the child toward wholesome growth regardless of ability level or social maturity.
The Montessori Method truly provides individualized education for each child in The Montessori House. Through their work, the children develop concentration and joyful discipline within the framework of order. The children progress at their own pace and rhythm according to their individual capabilities during these crucial years of development.
Montessori discovered that there are basic needs and tendencies that all humans share, regardless of time and place. She also found that there are unique gifts of the brain that are only present in the early years of life. These discoveries have been confirmed by contemporary psychology and brain research. These powers of the young mind are known as the Absorbent Mind and Sensitive Periods.
The Absorbent Mind allows unlimited amounts of information to be absorbed without effort. It has the unique ability to absorb all aspects of the environment (physical, mental, and spiritual) without effort or fatigue. By age six, this gift disappears so the first six years of life are crucial.
Sensitive periods are limited periods of time when the child shows a strong attraction toward a particular aspect of the environment. During these Sensitive Periods a child can acquire knowledge or skills more perfectly than any other time. This unique power of the brain also fades by age six.
A trained Montessori teacher can identify Sensitive Periods for different areas of development and encourage learning accordingly. Presentations are given individually, based on the teacher’s observation of the child’s interests and developmental needs. The teacher aims to present activities that are not to easy or too challenging, finding the perfect match as to create optimal conditions for learning. The children’s innate passion for learning is encouraged by giving the opportunity to engage in spontaneous, purposeful activities with the guidance of a trained teacher. All presentations are given in a progression, assisting the child in natural development.
Individual work is encouraged. Once a child receives a lesson she can practice with the material as often as she wants. Through their work, they develop concentration, motivation, persistence, and discipline. Learning takes place within the child through practice and interactive exploration with the materials, not through a directive lesson from the adult.
This expanded vision of education is an aid to life, designed to help the task of inner construction. The format adapts to each child’s inner directives, and freely guides the child toward wholesome growth regardless of ability level or social maturity.
The Montessori Method truly provides individualized education for each child in The Montessori House. Through their work, the children develop concentration and joyful discipline within the framework of order. The children progress at their own pace and rhythm according to their individual capabilities during these crucial years of development.
The Montessori Method