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WHAT IS MONTESSORI?
The Montessori method, founded nearly 100 years ago, is based on a firm philosophical foundation and proven educational methodology. It is a respectful approach to the education of children, utilizing carefully developed manipulative materials intended to meet the needs of the child at each developmental stage. It is widely accepted that the preschool years are the most important time for learning. From birth to six years of age, rapid growth occurs in every aspect of development - mental, emotional, physical and spiritual.
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Maria Montessori
The first woman in Italy to graduate in medicine from the University of Rome, Montessori worked with mentally retarded children, then served in a variety of university teaching positions. In 1907, based on her research in philosophy, child development and education, she opened the Casa dei Bambini, teaching children of normal intelligence using her methods. She spent most of her remaining life writing, lecturing and teaching about her methods. The Montessori method assumes that children learn best by interacting with concrete materials and by being respected as individuals. The teacher's role is primarily in organizing materials and establishing a general classroom culture. Most activities are individual, though the children interact in groups in some activities.
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EDUCATIONAL GOALS OF OUR SCHOOL
*TO ENTER A PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS IN THE EDUCATION OF THEIR CHILDREN. *TO ENCOURAGE SELF MOTIVATION AND SELF DISCIPLINE THAT WILL LEAD TO A LIFE LONG PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE. *TO HELP CHILDREN DEVELOP A POSITIVE SELF IMAGE AS THE KEY TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR FULL POTENTIAL *TO BALANCE SELF RELIANCE, INDEPENDENCE, AND FREEDOM WITH THE SKILLS OF WORKING COOPERATIVELY. *TO INSTILL IN EACH CHILD A SENSE OF DUTY AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE *TO SPARK OUR CHILDREN’S IMAGINATION, WONDER, HUMOR AND JOY.
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3-6 PROGRAM
THE PRIMARY PROGRAM COVERS A THREE YEAR CYCLE FOR CHILDREN 3, 4, 5-6 YEARS OF AGE. EACH CLASS GROUPING, BALANCED FOR GENDER AND DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE. EVERY STUDENT HAS A CHANCE TO BE BOTH LEADER AND FOLLOWER. COOPERATIVE INTERACTIVE LEARNING PROMOTES AUTHENTIC SOCIALIZATION OF THE CHILD. TO ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO EXPLORE THEIR WORLD AND ORGANIZE THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF IT, WE PREPARE THE ENVIRONMENT WITH ACTIVITIES AND MATERIALS THAT ARE APPEALING AND ENJOYABLE, BUT SERIOUS IN PURPOSE AND EFFECT. WE ALWAYS TRY TO MAKE EVERY ACTIVITY SUCCESSFUL SO THE CHILD WILL BUILD CONFIDENCE IN LEARNING AND NOT FEEL FAILURE. EACH CHILD IS ALLOWED TO DEVELOP ACADEMICALLY AND SOCIALLY TO THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL. CHILDREN LEARN TO READ, WRITE, AND COUNT AT THEIR OWN PACE. THEY LEARN HOW TO MAKE CHOICES, FINISH AND PUT WORK AWAY, AND HOW TO CORRECT THEIR MISTAKES. THEY LEARN AND PRACTICE INDEPENDENCE, PATIENCE AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEMSELVES AND OTHERS AS WELL AS BECOMING MASTERS OF CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING.
TEACHING METHOD
There are no textbooks and nor will two or more children be studying the same thing at the same time. Children learn directly from the environment and from other children-more than from the teacher. The teacher is trained to teach one child at a time or in small groups and almost no lessons given to the whole class. Learning is based on each child’s individuality and own need.
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THE CLASSROOM
The environment is arranged according to subject area, and the children are always free to move around the room, and to continue to work on a piece of material without a time limit. |
THE WORK TIME
There is at least a 2 hour work time each day. This time is an uninterrupted period when children build concentration and are allowed to move throughout the classroom choosing work. During this time the teacher is giving individual lessons or small group lessons to children. |
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