Montessori

The Montessori Approach

The Montessori approach offers a broad vision of education as an aid to life. It is designed to help children with the task of their inner construction as they grow from childhood to maturity. It succeeds because it draws its principles from the natural development of the child. Its flexibility provides a matrix within which each individual child's inner directives are guided toward wholesome growth.

Montessori classrooms provide a prepared environment where children are free to respond to their natural tendency to work. The children's innate love of learning is encouraged by giving them opportunities to engage in spontaneous, meaningful activities under the guidance of a trained adult. Through their work, the children develop concentration and joyful self-discipline. Within a framework of order, the children progress at their own pace and rhythm, according to their individual capabilities.

The transformation of children from birth to adulthood occurs through a series of developmental periods. The focus of Montessori education changes in scope and manner to meet the child's changing characteristics and interests.

	The first plane of development occurs from birth to age six. At this stage, children are sensorial explorers, constructing their intellect by absorbing every aspect of their environment, their language and their culture.
	From age 6 to 12, children become conceptual explorers. They develop their powers of abstraction and imagination, and apply their knowledge to further discover and expand their world.
	The years between 12 and 18 see the children become humanistic explorers, seeking to understand their place in society and their opportunity to contribute to it.
	From 18 to 24, as young adults, they become specialized explorers, preparing to take command of their own lives.

Montessori environments are prepared for children at each successive developmental plane. These environments allow them to take responsibility for their own education, giving them the opportunity to become independent, fully-functioning human beings.