Why Montessori

“The education of even a small child, therefore, does not aim at preparing him for school, but for life.” – Maria Montessori

Why choose Montessori Education for Your Child?

Montessori children are capable individuals, who not only have the skills to flourish and adapt in a constantly changing world, but also to make a positive contribution to their community. They are independent, curious and caring children.

Montessori philosophy embraces the whole child, their natural curiosity and love of learning. Based on mutual respect and cooperation, Montessori education encourages independence by providing environments that meet the developmental needs of children. This builds self-confidence, inner discipline, a sense of self-worth and promotes positive social behaviour.

Dr Maria Montessori’s insights and understanding of child development have been enormously influential all over the world, both through the Montessori movement and in mainstream education, which has incorporated many of her practices. Interestingly, Montessori education parallels what is now know about brain development and actively fosters cognitive functions, social cognition, and such higher-order competencies as empathy and leadership thus providing a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Montessori Education Develops:

  • Concentration and persistence
  • Independence
  • A sense of order
  • A positive attitude towards learning
  • Initiative and intrinsic motivation
  • Self-confidence
  • Self-discipline
  • Sensory motor skills
  • Natural curiosity
  • Cooperation and a sense of community
  • Respect for the rights and needs of others
  • Respect for the natural world

Key Principles of the Montessori Method

The Integrated Curriculum:

The Montessori curriculum is organised into a spiral of integrated studies with the aim of making education a coherent whole.

Independence:

When children have a sense of control over their lives, their well-being and learning improves. Therefore, great care is taken to create learning environments that foster children’s growing independence.

Order:

Order underlies all aspects of the environment. This includes the physical environment as well as the adults and their approach and the sequence of presentations.

Choice:

Children are supported to become self-disciplined and learn to make good choices. This is a major goal of Montessori education and education for life.

Freedom:

Although there is freedom within the classroom, it is freedom within limits. Children are limited by the requirement to be constructive and responsible with materials and behaviour.

Multi-age classroom:

In the multi-age classroom children are grouped according to specific planes of development. A stable and strong community develops as children continue with the same group for three years.

Movement:

Movement greatly enhances learning. The Montessori materials all involve active use and participation by children.

Control of Error:

In the early years, the environment, and in particular the materials, are prepared in a way that allows children to become aware of their mistakes and to correct them.

Materials:

The Montessori materials act as keys to children’s development.

Role of the Adult:

Working as a facilitator, the Montessori teacher creates a culture of learning and inquisitiveness. Montessori teachers have high expectations of children’s academic and social achievement.

Self-discipline and positive guidance:

Montessori teachers use kind and firm guidance with the aim of helping children learn self-discipline and self-control. Montessori children respect each other and their environment.

Intrinsic Motivation:

Children are intrinsically motivated and are driven by their desire to become independent and competent life-long learners.

Southern Montessori School offers children a unique educational experience. If you feel your child would thrive in our Montessori environment, please give us a call. We would love to show you around our school.