Montessori Education, Philosophy & Methods

• The aim of Montessori education is to foster competent, responsible, adaptive citizens who are lifelong learners and problem solvers.
   
• Learning occurs in an inquiring, cooperative, nurturing atmosphere. Students increase their own knowledge through self- and teacher-initiated experiences.
   
• Children learn through their senses. Students learn through hands-on exploration the manipulating of materials and interacting with others.

These meaningful experiences are precursors to the abstract understanding of ideas.

• The individual is considered as a whole. The physical, emotional, social, aesthetic, spiritual, and cognitive needs and interests are inseparable and equally important.
   
• Respect and caring attitudes for oneself, others, the environment, and all life are necessary.

Montessori Teachers are educated in these areas:

• Child growth and development.
   
• Observational skills to match students’ developmental needs with materials and activities. This allows the teacher to guide students in creating their individual learning style.
   
• An open-ended array of suggested learning materials and activities that empower teachers to design their own developmentally responsive, culturally relevant learning environment.
   
• Teaching strategies that support and facilitate the unique and total growth of each individual.
   
• Classroom leadership skills that foster a nurturing environment that is physically and psychologically supportive of learning.