Your ultimate guide to the Montessori method, to know if it is the right choice for you and your family.
daycare, early childhood, education, Montessori, garderie.
Understanding a bit about the Montessori method and knowing what makes an authentic Montessori is an important part of the process in finding a quality daycare centre that is right for you and your child. We find that in partnership with families, children see the greatest growth and development into their highest potential. Therefore, we ask that parent's are open to learning a little bit about the Montessori philosophy and to helping implement some key Montessori elements in the home.
Below you will find some key aspects, philosophies and methods to help you decide if the Montessori method is the right choice for you.
Is Montessori Right for my Child?
Some Key Elements of a Montessori Education
Information and Inspiration for Parents and Teachers
Is Montessori Right for my Child?
All parents want the very best for their child. The ages 0-6 are arguably the most important and defining years in a persons life. It is during this time that we form our core perceptions and beliefs about the world and ourselves. Providing your child with a stimulating and enriching environment, helps set the groundwork on which all future learning will grow, inspiring life long learners with a love of education.
The Montessori Method has been tried and tested for over 100 years, since Dr. Maria Montessori first opened her doors to the 'Casa dei Bambini' or 'Children's House' in 1907. Through her observations and work with children, Dr. Montessori developed a quality method of education that meets the needs of each individual child. Honouring and respecting their unique interests and development.
Since then, Montessori schools have opened their doors around the world. Many of the most creative and successful individuals of our time, such as Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, Taylor Swift, cook Julia Child, and many more, have all had a Montessori education in early childhood. In fact, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the founders of Google, attribute much of their success to their early childhood Montessori education.
Some Key Elements of a Montessori Education
The years of early childhood are a critical time to create a strong foundation on which all else will blossom. This self-regulated, student directed learning approach inspires a life long love of learning. The result is bold, critical thinkers who are self-confident, collaborative, responsible, and knowledgeable individuals with a deep sense of purpose and self.
The Prepared Environment
Education is a naturally unfolding phenomenon. Our job is to create an environment that answers to the child's need for physical, social and intellectual stimulation. The carefully prepared environment enables the child to explore and discover, through hands-on learning materials, a foundation in understanding abstract concepts through concrete materials.
“The environment must be rich in motives which lend interest to activity and invite the child to conduct his own experiences.”
Maria Montessori
The Teacher Guide
The teacher or 'guide' is the dynamic link between the child and their environment. Their role is to observe the child and to remove any obstacles that will interfere with the child's natural development. The goal is to provide the child with a nurturing environment and also to develop the child's self-esteem, so the teacher should be on the look out to introduce the child to new learning activities at the exact moment when they are ready. This acts as a support to the natural process of learning and discovery to unfold.
The teacher is also the role-model for their students. So, the impact of every action on the children must be deeply felt and understood. The child learns by mimicry. So, it is not what we say, but what we do and who we are that impacts the child.
Freedom of Choice & Movement
In order for a child to develop to their highest potential, they must have freedom to choose and develop their own capacities. This is a freedom that is developed through inner discipline, and independence. When entering the class, children are free to choose the learning activities that they would like to work with. The teacher helps to guide the child in strengthening the child's capabilities and ability to make choices that are right for them. What emerges as a result of this student directed approach, is a self-confident, inquisitive, and creative child, that takes the initiative to learn, explore, create and discover.
"The child who has never learned to work by himself, to set goals for his own acts, or to be the master of his own force of will is recognizable in the adult who lets others guide his will and feels a constant need of approval from others." - Maria Montessori
Child Centred Classroom
We understand that each child is unique in their development. A child centred classroom ensures that each child receives lessons to activities that meet them at their particular stage of development. In the Montessori class, we follow the child, and respect the learning pace of each individual. The teacher guide knows and observes each child deeply. They are trained to know when your child is ready to progress to the next activities, and to help strengthen and honour each child's 'inner guide'. This ability to understand the child's needs, helps to ensure that the child is always being introduced to activities they are capable to do, but that are still challenging enough to develop their focus and academics.
The child's dignity, independence and unique capabilities are respected at all times. For example, 3.5 year old Alex has just begun to compose words using the movable alphabet. While 4 year old Sandy has just started to learn the sandpaper letters. In the conventional school system, Alex would be held back from his progress in language and literacy, and Sandy would struggle as she may not be getting the extra support that is needed. The Montessori method follows the child's lead and supports both children equally, in their stage of development.
Montessori Materials
Many Montessori materials are self-correcting. So the child, once more mature, is able to critically look at their work and correct their mistakes. This allows them to become more independent and responsible. In the process, children learn that mistakes and failures are part of the learning process, and are not to be feared. It is our practice and consistency lead to success.
"Prepare the child for the path, not the path for the child." - Author Unknown
Still not sure? Information and Inspiration for Parents and Teachers
By now, you should have a little bit of an understanding as to what goes on in the Montessori classroom. Understanding some of the key elements in important in helping you choose the right quality daycare for your child. If you are interested to learn more, feel free to contact us (info@brossard-montessori.ca).
You can also refer to some resources below, - should you like to dive deeper into this amazing philosophy.
The Montessori Notebook - Free resources for Montessori parents
All Things Montessori - Free podcast found on Apple and Spotify Montessori: A Modern Approach by Paula Polk Lillard Montessori: The Science behind the Genius by Dr. Angeline Lillard The Discovery of the Child by Maria Montessori The Absorbent Mind by Maria Montessori The Importance of the First Three Years of Life by Silvana Quattrocchi Montanaro
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