About Montessori
A little over 100 years ago, an Italian doctor named Maria Montessori changed education forever when she proposed a revolutionary child-centered education model.
Maria Montessori was one of the first female physicians in Italy, a scientist and educator. Dr. Montessori developed her educational philosophy based upon her scientific observations of children. She first worked with children who were mentally disabled, observing that they responded well to sensory-rich environments and learned best when engaged in purposeful activities. In 1907, Dr. Montessori was invited to develop a child-care facility for preschool aged children living in a housing project in the slums of Rome. Instead of using traditional teaching methods, Maria Montessori relied on her experience and observations working with special needs children, and began testing her own child-centered educational theories in the classroom. The Casa dei Bambini (Childen's House) was unique because it focused on educating each child based on his or her development stage. Dr. Montessori encouraged children to take ownership of what they wanted to learn and worked with each child to create a personalized education that played to that child’s strengths. Children were encouraged to cooperate and work together to accomplish their goals. She discovered that when young children concentrate on purposeful activities, they tend to develop self-control, a sense of order, independence, and self-motivation. Montessori developed strategies for teachers to guide children in learning rather than lecture them from a book. She published a handbook on her methods and philosophies in 1914, laying the foundation for what became known as the Montessori method of education.
Maria Montessori was one of the first female physicians in Italy, a scientist and educator. Dr. Montessori developed her educational philosophy based upon her scientific observations of children. She first worked with children who were mentally disabled, observing that they responded well to sensory-rich environments and learned best when engaged in purposeful activities. In 1907, Dr. Montessori was invited to develop a child-care facility for preschool aged children living in a housing project in the slums of Rome. Instead of using traditional teaching methods, Maria Montessori relied on her experience and observations working with special needs children, and began testing her own child-centered educational theories in the classroom. The Casa dei Bambini (Childen's House) was unique because it focused on educating each child based on his or her development stage. Dr. Montessori encouraged children to take ownership of what they wanted to learn and worked with each child to create a personalized education that played to that child’s strengths. Children were encouraged to cooperate and work together to accomplish their goals. She discovered that when young children concentrate on purposeful activities, they tend to develop self-control, a sense of order, independence, and self-motivation. Montessori developed strategies for teachers to guide children in learning rather than lecture them from a book. She published a handbook on her methods and philosophies in 1914, laying the foundation for what became known as the Montessori method of education.
Montessori is a scientific approach to education. Montessori education values the development of the whole child - cognitive, physical, emotional, and social.
The Montessori Method is characterized by providing a prepared environment: organized, pleasing in appearance, simple and real, where each element exists for a reason in order to help in the development of the child. A Montessori classroom integrates children of mixed ages that are grouped in periods of 3 years. This promotes socialization, respect and solidarity among them naturally. Maria Montessori innovated a specially-designed classroom which was the first to include child-sized furniture and classroom materials placed at the eye-level of a child. She had great respect for the capacity of the young child’s mind and created an environment in which children could freely explore. This concept is referred to as “child-centered”.
Traditional models of education place the teacher at the center of the classroom. The focus of our classrooms is the child, and learning is individualized. Students take responsibility for their learning, become independent, and are creative in their work. Students are encouraged to follow their interests, a key indicator in students’ enjoying school and becoming life-long learners.
Montessori has stood the test of time, and is relevant today because it prepares the child for the real world. The focus is not on how to memorize, recite facts, or take a test, but instead how to think creatively, understand, and seek new ways to solve problems.
The Montessori Method has been practiced throughout the world for over a century, and Around the Sun is proud to carry on that tradition!
The Montessori Method is characterized by providing a prepared environment: organized, pleasing in appearance, simple and real, where each element exists for a reason in order to help in the development of the child. A Montessori classroom integrates children of mixed ages that are grouped in periods of 3 years. This promotes socialization, respect and solidarity among them naturally. Maria Montessori innovated a specially-designed classroom which was the first to include child-sized furniture and classroom materials placed at the eye-level of a child. She had great respect for the capacity of the young child’s mind and created an environment in which children could freely explore. This concept is referred to as “child-centered”.
Traditional models of education place the teacher at the center of the classroom. The focus of our classrooms is the child, and learning is individualized. Students take responsibility for their learning, become independent, and are creative in their work. Students are encouraged to follow their interests, a key indicator in students’ enjoying school and becoming life-long learners.
Montessori has stood the test of time, and is relevant today because it prepares the child for the real world. The focus is not on how to memorize, recite facts, or take a test, but instead how to think creatively, understand, and seek new ways to solve problems.
The Montessori Method has been practiced throughout the world for over a century, and Around the Sun is proud to carry on that tradition!
