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About Montessori

THE MONTESSORI PHILOSOPHY

Montessori is a method of education that was developed by Doctor Maria Montessori. It’s worldwide and has proven successful for more than 100 years. It offers a broad view of education as an aid and a preparation for life.

Maria Montessori started her career as a Doctor; however, through her work with children, she moved from medicine to education. In her classroom, she carefully observed the manner in which children learn and how they used the specific materials she created. These materials were carefully designed to enable children to teach themselves through their interaction and exploration.

The work in the classroom is organized into five areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics and Cultural Subjects which include Geography, History, Science and the Arts. The children are guided by a trained Montessori lead teacher and learn at an individual pace, allowing each child’s abilities to emerge and flourish.

Along with authentic Montessori learning materials and a carefully crafted learning environment, the following concepts make up the ideal Montessori preschool.

MULTI-AGE CLASSROOMS IN MONTESSORI SCHOOLS

One of the most noticeable differences between a traditional daycare center and a Montessori school is the age group of the children inside the classroom. Dr. Maria Montessori believed that children should be grouped into classrooms according to their plane of development, not their exact age. The planes of development can be broken down to: 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, 12-15, and 15-18 years old.

There are numerous benefits to multi-age groupings in a Montessori classroom. Children in Montessori classrooms can remain with the same teacher for three years. This allows teachers to get to know each child’s strengths and weaknesses very well and gain an understanding for what each child needs to be successful. Children also feel closer and more comfortable around their teacher and classmates since they have known them for a while. Shyness and anxiety are reduced because a child does not have to worry about making new friends each year.

Another benefit of multi-age classrooms is that older students gain leadership skills by serving as mentors to younger students and developing their social skills. They can explain more advanced concepts and answer questions about different topics. Younger students sometimes feel more comfortable asking people their own age for help, and they also benefit from having a mentor who is always close by in case they need assistance with something.

Another key benefit of the Montessori approach is that each child is given the freedom to move at his or her own pace. Students will never feel bored because there will always be a more advanced lesson that they can work on when they finish their current one. On the other hand, if a student needs more time to understand a concept, they are they can require additional time to master the lesson.

WHAT IS A MONTESSORI GUIDE?

While researching different Montessori schools for your child, you might have come across the word “guide” and wondered what it meant. In Montessori schools, teachers are referred to as guides because they do so much more than simply teach.

At traditional schools, teachers usually stay at the front of the classroom and teach one lesson to the entire class at the same time. In Montessori schools, teachers travel around the classroom, giving individual and small group instruction. Guides create a customized learning plan for each child based on their strengths and weaknesses.

In the classroom, Montessori guides play many different roles, such as creating the perfect learning environment where children feel comfortable and accepted and one of the important thing to mention is encouraging each child to reach his or her full potential.

Montessori guides are specially trained in child development and determining what each child needs through careful observation. Guides are usually trained in both Montessori curriculum and philosophy to ensure the most authentic Montessori experience for your child.

UNINTERRUPTED WORK PERIODS

Uninterrupted work periods are one of the most important principles of a Montessori education. At a Montessori school, all children, regardless of age, are given a set period where they can complete different tasks at their own pace. During these periods of time, guides do not interrupt a child’s work unless the child asks for assistance.

The amount of time uninterrupted work periods last depends on the Montessori school and the child’s age, but they are usually one to three hours long. The older a child is, the longer they can concentrate on a task, which is why older children have longer work cycles. Children are free to select activities that interest them and work cycles allow each child to learn at his own pace without feeling left behind. Children who enjoy their work look forward to going to school each day. 

GRACE AND COURTESY, POSITIVE DISCIPLINE 

Social and emotional development of a child is an integral part of VMA curriculum. 

As a part of it Grace and Courtesy lessons help children learn social skills that they will carry with them throughout their lifetime. In a Montessori education, these lessons are often learned through group role play. The guide will isolate the positive behavior in the demonstration.

As a Montessori student, your child will benefit from Grace and Courtesy lessons in the following ways:

• Learning how to collaborate with others, leading to success in classroom group work

• Mastering basic greetings such as shaking hands, saying hello, and saying good bye

• Grasping how to ask questions politely, ask permission, and excuse oneself

• Understanding how to peacefully solve a disagreement.

• Strengthening valuable social interaction skills that allow successful navigation of friendships

The Montessori Method is child-directed and uses Positive Discipline. Teachers are expected to provide both a model of ideal behavior and a gentle manner of directing the child back to correct action.

The end result of Montessori-aligned discipline is a self-motivated child that understands how to appropriately and productively interact socially and with their environment.

Montessori does not punish - rather it models ideal behavior and teaches the child that they are responsible for their actions. In reality, Montessori's methods are more closely aligned with the true meaning of the word "discipline". The feedback children receive using a Montessori-aligned approach to discipline is often referred to as "natural consequences." This means allowing life to simply take its natural course. Helping children understand their actions have consequences - for them and for others - is critical in teaching them to conduct themselves. 

Positive Discipline is a well-researched and practiced approach to discipline, rooted in the fundamental idea that children should be treated with dignity and respect. 

GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

In a Montessori classroom, guides nurture this sense of world awareness through age-appropriate demonstrations that highlight the connections between local and global. We can expose children to a myriad of cultures, languages, and traditions, cultivating open-mindedness and empathy. From learning about different flags and continents to exploring traditional clothing and foods, children are immersed in a multi-faceted learning environment. This exposure not only sparks curiosity but also nurtures a deep appreciation for different ways of life. 

Choosing Montessori School: 

7 THINGS YOU WILL SEE AT VMA-  AN AUTHENTIC MONTESSORI SCHOOL

Many parents are interested in Montessori education for their children from infancy through adolescence, but may not know what to look for when trying to determine which Montessori school will be the best fit for their child.  Here are 8 things you will see at an authentic Montessori school. 

1. Prepared Learning Environment

A genuine Montessori school will arrange the classroom in such a way that is conducive to learning. Some principles of a prepared learning environment include:

• Freedom

• Structure and Order

• Beauty

• Social Environment

• Intellectual Environment

• Nature and Reality

2. A Peaceful Classroom

This is more of something you can listen for rather than look for. In a Montessori classroom, students are taught proper manners and social skills, some of which involve peace and quiet. Children are taught Mindfulness and Grace and Courtesy and emotional intelligence.

3. Children of Different Ages Intermingling

An authentic Montessori school will have kids of varying ages mixed into one classroom.  This is done based on the core Montessori principle that students learn at their own pace and from one another. In a mixed-age classroom, the more advanced students assist the lesser ones while learning the importance of empathy and respect, and developing greater social skills along the way. 

4. Areas Dedicated to Practical Life Skills

One of the most substantial proponents of Montessori schools is their dedication to essential life skills. The exact skills taught will vary depending on where the students are in their education, but can include things such as cooking, emotional intelligence, cleaning, caring for the environment, and much more.

5. Uninterrupted Work Periods

During this typically 3-hour period, students will engage in self-directed work without interruption from their classmates. This allows teachers to have more time individually with each student without interruption so they can get the most out of their time with the educator.

6. Rooms Designed For Children

In an authentic Montessori preschool, every tool, piece of furniture, shelf, and wall decoration is explicitly designed for children. This is done not only to make it easier for children to work with things their size but also to encourage independence and individuality. It may seem small, but designing classroom elements around a child's small stature does wonders for breaking down barriers and encouraging their exploration and creativity.

7. Diverse Group of Students and Teachers 

Our Montessori school strives to be an intentionally diverse community, comprised of people of different ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, family structures, national origins, religions, and abilities. We encourage learning about similarities and differences between communities around the globe, to build an early and growing awareness of our diverse, interconnected world.