Why Montessori
WHY MONTESSORI EDUCATION?
The Montessori Method of education was developed by Maria Montessori and has been used for over 100 years to educate and grow children’s minds.
The philosophy is a child-centered educational approach, where children are free to progress their own individual learning at their own pace. The activities are arranged in a prepared environment and are specifically designed to foster an intrinsic love for learning, and establish the foundations for independence within children.
Values and respect for others are at the heart of all our teaching. To support the children’s knowledge in this area, grace and courtesy are modelled daily and practiced in informal and formal group situations.
At Stables Montessori Preschools our curriculum is unique and sets us apart from others. It provides a cycle of learning designed to work with the children’s senses. It develops the whole child through using specialised equipment that will support children physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively.
Early Childhood Education has a lasting impact on children and lays the foundations for lifelong learning. Therefore, it is important for children to experience a quality early learning preschool. For more than a century, Montessori has been thriving around the world and is recognised as a very effective method of teaching. Montessori preschools set the stage for children to grow into capable people who will be have a strong sense of self, the ability to connect with others, and the potential to be productive throughout their lives. With Montessori, that growth starts early. The early years, from birth to age 6 are a critical time to set a strong foundation for who a child will become and the role she or he will play in the future.
MONTESSORI EDUCATION IS AN APPROACH BASED ON THE CORE PRINCIPLES OF:
Respect for the child:
Teachers show respect for children when they help them do things and learn for themselves. When children have choices, they can develop the skills and abilities necessary for effective learning autonomy, and positive self-esteem.
The Absorbent Mind:
Montessori believed that children educate themselves through absorbing information from around them. The more you can expose children to learning and real concepts, the easier it is for them to acquire the knowledge when they are ready to understand it.
Sensitive periods:
Refers to a period of time when a child’s interests are focused on developing a particular skill or knowledge area. According to Montessori Theory, the most important sensitive periods occur between birth and age six. Montessori teachers are trained to understand and noticed when children are in sensitive periods for learning specific things. Teachers will notice these times and provide activities to support your child to learn. Sensitive periods during 0-6 years fall into the following categories, order, movement, small objects, grace and courtesy, refinement of the senses, writing, reading, language, spatial relationships, music, and mathematics.
The Prepared Environment:
The prepared environment makes learning materials and experiences available to children in an orderly format. Freedom is the essential characteristic of the prepared environment. Since children within the environment are free to explore materials of their own interest, making the activities and the learning concept meaningful and therefore easier to learn. Children who are actively involved in a prepared environment and who exercise freedom of choice literally educate themselves.