Why Montessori?

Maria Montessori was born on August 31, 1870, in the provincial town of Chiaravalle, Italy.  She was an Italian physician, educator, and innovator, acclaimed for her educational method that builds on the way children learn naturally. 

She opened the first Montessori school—the Casa dei Bambini, or Children’s House—in Rome on January 6, 1907. Subsequently, she traveled the world and wrote extensively about her approach to education. 

The Montessori Method is a 100+ year old, tried and tested approach to education, applied in a multitude of schools around the globe. 

It places the child at the center of their own learning journey and stands out from traditional methods of education in many ways.

Scientifically designed Montessori materials are self-correcting and self-motivating, and move from the concrete to abstract. Rather than memorizing and computing, children learn and understand through their own investigation and experience.

The child is free to learn at their own pace, in their own learning style, advancing when they are ready to – all under the teacher’s guidance following their individual lesson plan. 

The Montessori curriculum is broad. It covers the usual academic fields in language & literacy, arithmetic, geometry, geography, science, etc. It also covers practical life skills, art, music and culture, grace and courtesy. Montessori supports the child to reach their full potential intellectually, socially and emotionally. 

Children enjoy freedom within limits- they may choose their work within the frame of the classroom materials set by the teacher. Following their interests, they are enthusiastic learners and the teacher’s role is as observer and guide, supporting the student in pursuing the answers to their own questions.

Mixed-aged classrooms (3 – 6 years, 6 – 9 years etc.) allow younger children to observe and learn from older kids. In turn, the older children teach and mentor, reinforcing their own knowledge and developing leadership. These interactions encourage social skills and collaboration over competition.