“Montessori is a method of education that is based on self directed activity, hands on learning collaborative play. In Montessori class rooms, children make creative choices in their learning, while the classroom and the teacher offer age appropriate activities to guide the process”. 

Children work in groups and individually to discover and explore knowledge of the world and to develop their maximum potential.

Montessori classrooms are beautifully crafted environments designed to meet the needs of children in a specific age range. Dr. Maria Montessori discovered that experimental learning in this type of classroom led to a deeper understanding of language, mathematics, science, music, social interactions and much more. Most Montessori classrooms are secular in nature, although the Montessori educational method can be integrated successfully into a faith-based programme.

Utilizing scientific observation and experience gained from her earlier work with young children, Maria designed learning materials and a classroom environment that fostered the children’s natural desire to learn.

•  Fosters the growth of functional independence, task persistence and self-regulation.
•  Prompts social development through respectful, clear communication and safe, natural consequences. 
•  Contains a large variety of materials for the refinement of sensory perception and the development of literacy and mathematical understanding.
•  Offers opportunities for imaginative exploration leading to confident, creative self - expression.    

Lower Elementary, ages six to nine 

•  Offers opportunities for collaborative intellectual exploration in which the child’s interests are supported and guided.
•  Supports the development of self-confidence, imagination, intellectual independence and self-efficacy.

Role of a Teacher in Montessori Envts

“The role of a Montessori teacher is that of an observer whose ultimate goal is to intervene less and less as the child develops. The teacher’s first objective is to prepare and organize the learning environment to meet the needs and interests of the children as well as promote independence”.  A Montessori teacher is called a Directress. Maria Montessori chose this name as it best describes the teacher’s role within the classroom. The directress is trained specially to observe and to respond to the needs of each child. 

Guiding

The Montessori teacher’s role is different from the role played by traditional teachers present a lesson to the large group of students who are expected to listen and absorb the information provided. Mont. Teachers work with only one or two students at a time providing learning material for the needs and interest of each child in the class.  In this way, children work at their own pace in a peaceful environment.

Learning

If a child is not ready, a Montessori teacher does not force the child to learn. For instance, the teacher associates an object with its name, such as “book”, and asks the child to identify the word. If the child points to the object, the association has been made. If not, the teacher doesn’t correct the child but revisits the lesson another day.