The Montessori Curriculum- so much more than wooden toys!
Maria Tecla Artemisia Montessori; August 31, 1870 – May 6, 1952) was the first woman medical practitioner in Italy. She developed the rich and extensive academic curriculum with beautiful hands-on materials that is seen in Montessori Schools worldwide, serving infancy through high school.
Maria Montessori was a woman ahead of her time. She developed an amazing curriculum through respect, admiration, and countless hours of observation of children, their needs, and how they learn best. Each Montessori school around the world has its own style and is independently owned. Dr. Montessori has written many books and there is a lot of information available regarding her amazing teaching method and beautiful insightful learning materials available that are still invaluable today.
What are the basic elements of the Montessori Curriculum?
Respect for the child: Children at a young age have great intellectual needs and capacity.
Independence and responsibility: They choose activities and learn to finish the work cycle by returning them when finished ready for the next person. This is a solid base for study skills and lifelong good habits.
“Hands-on” education: With the beautiful Golden Bead Math Materials, children learn by counting the colored glass beads. Montessori math materials are pure genius- colorful, beautiful, and inviting. Children learn by doing, using real tools rather than pretending for example in our Practical Life area learning to really sweep with a child-sized broom that works, instead of pretending to sweep. They also have plenty of time to incorporate imagination in play outside.
Montessori training requires a two-year curriculum including intensive class work, internship, and finals.
Multi-age classroom benefits all ages with confidence, inspiration, nurturing, and responsibility.
“Prepared Environment” enables children’s independence; the classroom is set up with the needs of each child in mind. Freedom within limits offers age-appropriate opportunities for critical thinking.
Learning manners: “Grace and Courtesy” are part of the curriculum. Respect for each other, the teachers, the materials, and the environment is part of the Montessori Curriculum
Academics are offered with fun lessons. They enjoy learning with the beautiful and well-devised, hands-on Montessori materials. Concentration and focus are respected and encouraged.
With free choice of individual work jobs, the children always have their hands busy and the teacher is available to guide them and give individual and small group lessons.
Love for school, respect, and learning is fostered with beautiful reality-based themes such as geography using beautiful puzzle maps, awareness of nature, science, language, literature, art, music, outdoor play, social skills, etiquette, languages, and cultural appreciation.