We especially need imagination in science. It is not all mathematics, nor all logic, but it is somewhat beauty and poetry. — Maria Montessori
The Montessori Method
The Montessori Method of Education was established by Dr. Maria Montessori in Italy in the early 1900’s. Dr. Montessori was the first female physician in Italy in 1896.
Prior to her study of medicine, Dr. Montessori had an extensive background in mathematics, engineering and biology. After studying philosophy, psychology and working with several different groups of children, she created innovative tools designed to stimulate the growth and development of young minds.
Dr. Montessori implemented this learning method within several groups of children and discovered a very effective improvement on the existing standard of education. Believing that every child is unique, Dr. Montessori’s method is built on a foundation of fostering and respecting individuality throughout the entire education process.
If placed in the proper environment children will “normalize” which means that they will develop into whole, peaceful adults with an inherent love of learning.
In order to facilitate the total development of personality within the fundamental period of growth, children must have freedom. In order to develop his or her personality to the fullest, this freedom is achieved through work, order and self-discipline.
The world of the child is full of sights and sounds, which at first appear chaotic to the young and impressionable mind. From this chaos, children must gradually create order and learn to distinguish among the impressions that assail their senses — slowly, but surely gaining mastery of themselves and their environments.
Rather than introducing concepts to children, the Montessori Method develops an environment where the child’s personality can unfold, develop and flourish.
At the heart of the Montessori Method is an environment that not only stimulates the child’s interests, but also allows the child to work independently, which in turn nurtures the child’s love of learning.
The Montessori Method helps children develop at their own speeds, according to his/her own capacities, in a noncompetitive atmosphere. To develop confidence in the child’s search of knowledge, the Montessori environment also encourages children to partner with one another in their search for self.
Why the Montessori Method Works for Early Childhood Education in Riverside, California
- The Montessori Method provides a positive environment for the holistic development of the child.
- Montessori curriculum includes multi-sensorial activities that enhance the development of cognitive skills, especially during the critical period of development from ages 2-6 and beyond.
- Each child is assessed and taught individually.
- Each and every child’s natural development of cognitive, social and language skills are utilized in the process of learning.
- Discipline and skills developed in the Montessori classroom are lifelong tools useful in the child’s pursuit of success.
- Montessori children are self-directed, self-motivated, self-disciplined.
Notable Montessorians
- Bill Gates
Founder of Microsoft
- Larry Page and Sergey Brin
Google founders
- Jeff Bezos
Founder of Amazon.com
- Jimbo Wales
Founder of Wikipedia
- Julia Child
Author
- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Former First Lady
- Prince William and Prince Harry
- Andrew Lloyd Webber
Composer
- Peter Drucker
Management Guru
- Yo Yo Ma
Cellist
Rather than introducing concepts to children,
the Montessori Method develops an environment
where the child’s personality can
unfold, develop and flourish…
