Curriculum – A Montessori Approach to Learning

“Tell me and I forget.
Teach me and I remember.
Involve me and I learn.”
-Benjamin Franklin

The primary objective of a Montessori education is to enable the child to become an independent, creative, and self-confident thinker. The classroom is designed to cultivate the child’s natural curiosity and love for knowledge.

Classrooms are prepared for learning in the following ways:

  • A peace environment that empowers children to develop and use self control in the community of others.
  • Classroom is bright, warm, and inviting; It is filled with plants, animals, art, music, and books.
  • Carefully prepared environment where children choose their learning activities and move on when they are ready for more regardless of age.
  • A sense of order; beginning, middle, and end to every task before moving on to the next activity.
  • Tasks are broken down into simple steps so that a child learns step by step and is successful before moving on.
  • Activities are self correcting so that a child can practice over and over until the desired result is achieved.
  • 3-5 year old multi-age grouping in each classroom. Older children help younger children with materials and in turn, this helps the older children solidify their own knowledge with the repetition. It develops leadership and responsibility within the learning environment.
  • Teachers provide direction and guidance with individualized instruction.

 

“The essential thing is for the task to arouse such interest
that it engages the child’s whole personality.”
-Dr. Maria Montessori

 

 

The Montessori Teacher

The role of the Montessori teacher is to guide and observe. The ultimate goal is to intervene less and less as the child takes on more self learning and discovery. Children are encouraged to be motivated from within by their natural curiosity and love for knowledge. The teacher builds an atmosphere of calm, order and joy in the classroom and encourages children in all of their efforts. With younger children, the teacher is more actively involved demonstrating the use of materials. Knowing when to step back and when to help is a skill the Montessori teacher develops through training and experience.