Nurturing Your Childs Mind, Body and Spirit
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Maria Montessori through extensive research observed that children
experience Sensitive Periods during their development. These are periods of
special sensitivity when the child is attracted to certain stimuli in his or
her environment allowing them to acquire certain knowledge and skills and
occur universally for all children at approximately the same age.
Montessori developed a classroom structure established in such a way as to provide a prepared environment where children are free to respond to their natural tendency to work. The children's innate passion for learning is encouraged by giving them opportunities to engage in spontaneous, purposeful activities with the guidance of a trained adult. Through their work, the children develop concentration and joyful self-discipline, within a framework of order where the children progress at their own pace and rhythm, according to their individual capabilities.
One distinguishing feature of the Montessori method, at the pre-school age, is that children direct their own learning, choosing among the sections of a well-structured and stocked classroom, the curriculum including:
Practical Life (fine and gross motor skills)
Sensorial (senses and brain)
Language
Mathematics
Geography
Science
Art
The teacher’s role is to introduce children to materials, and then remain a “silent presence” in the classroom. Montessori schools pride themselves on seeing and meeting the student’s personality and intellectual needs, rather than viewing them as part of a classroom process. The students are encouraged to teach and to help each other.
