Montessori teaching is a scientific approach which allows children to discover and free their natural love of learning. This way of learning follows the laws of nature instead of a conventional teacher-directed curriculum. A Montessori Directress (teacher) is functioning to control the environment, not the child, and to direct learning. For academic development, the Montessori Directress provides self-teaching materials that allow children to learn in a free and independent manner.
Montessori emphasizes learning through all five senses, not just through listening, watching, or reading. Children in Montessori classes learn at their own, individual pace and according to their own choice of activities from many possibilities. Learning is an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning. Montessori classes place children in three-year age groups (3-6, 6-9, 9-12, and so on), forming communities in which the older children spontaneously share their knowledge with the younger ones.
The Montessori philosophy encourages children to work at their own level with activities that call to their individual interests. A group of mixed ages provides opportunities of leadership as well as encouragement to strive for what’s next. The program places emphasis on the development of social responsibility and independence. The Curriculum areas are: Practical Life, Sensorial, Mathematics, Language, Geography, Science and Culture, Arts and Crafts. Activities in all of these areas are available at all times. The children are encouraged to choose their own activities, and are guided towards activities that will help support all areas of growth. The role of the directress is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to develop to his/her full potential. The classroom is very structured and orderly. The children are expected to respect the materials, their peers and teachers, and to take care of their environment (classroom). We learn The “Davis Learning Strategies” which help us Self Regulate our Bodies. This includes: releasing excess energy, setting our energy level as required for different types of activities, focusing our minds for concentration and memory.
We follow an emergent curriculum, and enjoy filling our calendar with tons of fun learning experiences!