Montessori »

Primarily, the purpose of the Montessori method is to provide an environment where the innate abilities of the child can unfold spontaneously, encouraging the development of the person within, allowing the child to achieve his greatest potential. As the child develops his inner self, a love of life and learning follows naturally.

Dr. Maria Montessori, a physician and educator, created her method and materials through observing the ways children naturally absorb information and learn, at different stages of their development. This work began with mentally disabled children and after further study and experimentation; she discovered her principles of education could be applied to all children.

She observed that the child absorbs from the environment she is in, and using specially designed materials she was able to call to the child’s inner desire to learn. These materials are presented in small groups, frequently on the floor, encouraging individual hands-on participation, and peer problem-solving dialogue. The child is allowed certain freedoms to be independent within the highly sequenced structure of the Montessori Method. Control of error is built into manipulative materials and charts, encouraging self-confidence and independence.