For children of any age, Montessori is enabling. The Montessori method is both a philosophy and a sequential presentation of particular manipulative materials. Montessori is about "Meta-Learning" or learning how to learn. The founder is Dr. Maria Montessori. Not only a pioneer in educational methodology or child development but also in life, she has been an inspiration to millions of teachers and parents and a huge influence on millions of children.
Montessorians view a child's time in the classroom as the child's "work period" and the materials chosen as a child's "work." This placement of a child's activity on the same level as the pursuits of an adult respects the importance of the young child's cognitive and emotional development, happening through every, seemingly mundane, daily endeavor.
More than 100 years ago, Dr. Montessori discovered and advocated the principle of observation of the natural tendencies of the child, when such child is placed in a properly prepared environment. The properly prepared environment is complete with ordered, interdisciplinary work areas, meeting every child's individual learning styles. Child observation guides and inspires a Montessori teacher's plans for the advancement of the child through each of three stages of learning in each academic curriculum area. The teacher is also a child's guide in character development to fulfill Montessori's focus on the development of the "whole child." Read More
