The Montessori Method

The principles of Montessori education were developed by Doctor Maria Montessori over many years of experimentation and observation. 7 Continents Montessori believes that the child is naturally interested and curious about the world. The child effortlessly absorbs knowledge about the world. Additionally, the child has sensitive periods for movement, language and order that support further involvement in the world.

The 5 Principles of Montessori Education

1. Respect for the Child

At the heart of Montessori education is a profound respect for the child. This principle recognizes each child’s individuality and intrinsic worth. Educators treat children with dignity, valuing their thoughts, feelings, and abilities. Respect for the child manifests in allowing them to make choices, fostering independence, and acknowledging their unique learning pace and style.

2. Sensitive Periods

Sensitive periods refer to critical windows of opportunity when children are particularly receptive to learning specific skills or knowledge. Montessori educators observe and identify these periods to introduce appropriate activities that align with children’s natural interests and developmental readiness. By capitalizing on these sensitive periods, children achieve remarkable growth in areas such as language, order, movement, and social relations.

3. Self-Education

Auto-education, or self-education, is the principle that children are capable of educating themselves. Montessori education fosters a love of learning by encouraging curiosity, inquiry, and discovery. Educators act as guides, providing the tools and support children need to explore and learn independently. This principle empowers children to take ownership of their education, developing lifelong learning habits and a deep sense of accomplishment.

4. The Absorbent Mind

Dr. Maria Montessori identified the absorbent mind as a unique period in early childhood where children effortlessly absorb information from their environment. This principle highlights the importance of providing a rich, stimulating environment that encourages exploration and learning. The absorbent mind allows children to develop language, social skills, and cultural understanding naturally and joyfully.

5. The Prepared Environment

The prepared environment is a thoughtfully designed space that supports self-directed learning and exploration. It includes child-sized furniture, accessible materials, and organized areas for different activities. This environment is carefully arranged to encourage independence, concentration, and a sense of order. It provides the structure and freedom children need to pursue their interests and develop at their own pace.

These five principles form the foundation of Montessori education, creating a nurturing, empowering, and dynamic learning experience that respects each child’s individuality and potential.

Montessori Method

The Montessori method focuses

• on the nature of the Child,
• on the role of the Teacher, and
• on the role of the School

as we prepared a unique, developmentally appropriate setting for your child.

The nature of the child under six years old is that of a child that effortlessly absorbs information from the surrounding environment. Montessori referred to this ability of the child as the Absorbent Mind. Further, the child is in a Sensitive Period for order, language, and movement to better interact and understand the world.

The role of the teacher is to observe the child to determine the child’s knowledge and interests and to prepare the environment to meet the needs and interests of the child. Knowing the rationale underlying each Montessori material and familiar with theories of child development, the teacher is sensitive to the child’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development, and matches materials to the child that support that development. The developmental appropriateness of the materials is important to us.

The prepared environment is developmentally appropriate and responsive to the needs and interests of the child. The Montessori materials are in the areas of practical life (self-help materials), sensorial in the development and refinement of the senses, language, mathematics, culture, science, and art. Further augmenting the curriculum is the study of plants and animals.

Maria Montessori

Maria Montessori was born in 1870 in Italy and became the first woman to receive a medical degree from the University of Rome. In the first decade of the twentieth century Dr. Montessori observed children carefully and experimented with different materials and teaching methods.

Dr. Montessori visited various schools throughout Europe seeking effective teaching approaches. Unimpressed with the teaching styles and methods of the day she returned to her observation of the child to determine the most effective teaching approaches. From careful observation and experimentation Montessori developed the world famous Montessori Method and Montessori Curriculum Materials.