Core of the Montessori Approach
Maria Montessori was a pioneer of early childhood education, working at the beginning of the 20th century to develop care and education for preschool children.
The Montessori approach to education is based on respect for the child as a ‘worthy individual’ performing tasks that will help him or her develop into a mature adult. Montessori education takes into account the natural curiosity and desire to learn that is present in all children. A child needs independence to control his/her own impulses and emotions, as a result of which he/she gains self-confidence. Giving them the freedom to explore an environment that is designed to meet their developmental and individual learning needs enables them to lead their own learning.
The Foundational Principles of Montessori Education
Montessori education takes into account the fact that children absorb information from their surroundings. Learning does not have to be forced upon them. Hence, a Montessori school provides a structured and readily accessible environment where a child is free to work through his or her own cycle of activity at his or her own pace.
Nurturing Natural Growth
A child learns to read, write, and calculate in a natural way, just as he or she learns to walk and talk. There is a rapid growth of intelligence in the early years. However, children mature at different rates, and their readiness for academic subjects varies greatly. The Montessori classroom allows each child the flexibility and freedom to select activities that correspond to his or her interest and readiness.