A Guide For Parents



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The Montessori Philosophy
Casa Classes
Elementary Montessori
Montessori Teachers

Dr. Maria Montessori
Dr. Maria Montessori was, in many ways, ahead of her time. Born in Italy in 1870, she became the first female physician in Italy. Dr Maria Montessori described the child's mind between the time of birth and six years, as the "absorbent mind" because of the child's tremendous ability to learn and assimilate effortlessly and unconsciously from the world around them.

According to Montessori, children in their early years pass through identifiable developmental stages with specific physiological and psychological characteristics which provide the child with particular sensitivities and abilities. In 1906 she founded the first Casa dei Bambini, or "Children's House". Through observation, research and work with children she earned a reputation as one of the world's leading authorities on education and child development. Over the years she developed a myriad of materials designed to help children learn fundamental concepts of math, language and culture. Every piece of equipment, every exercise, every method Montessori developed was based on what she observed children doing "naturally", by themselves, unassisted by adults.

"Help me to help myself"
Casa Classes
Casa classes are made up of three, four and five year olds, in a mixed age setting. This mixed age grouping is a basic tenet of the Montessori method: students working at their own levels of competence, yet having the opportunity to challenge themselves in relating to older students or taking the time to teach a younger student and thus consolidating their own learning.
The Montessori classroom is a carefully prepared environment filled with materials that invite interaction and activity. Students have the freedom to choose those activities shown to them and to repeat them independently or in a group. They are also directed to balance their choices from all areas in the classroom. With this freedom and guided by interest and ability, children are engaged in an active learning process involving concrete experiences.

This individualized approach fosters the development of good work habits and a positive self-image and becomes the basis for further learning.

Montessori Teachers
Montessori teachers are the dynamic link between the prepared environment and the children. Each class is under the direction of a certified Montessori teacher whose primary role is to direct the child's natural energy and to provide a Programmethat will meet the individual needs of each student. Teachers achieve this by keen observation, knowledge, guidance, and the experience that they bring from their training.
Since Montessori education is based on the inner motivation of the child, it is the teacher's role to work with this motivation in ways that will enhance the child's process of self-creation. The teacher sets up and maintains the prepared environment with an atmosphere of calm and order, warmth, care, awareness and joy.

Elementary Montessori
Participation in the Elementary Programmeafter the Casa experience is a natural progression for the student turning six years of age. The older student continues to be challenged by a mixed aged grouping and a stimulating classroom environment in which a positive self-image and a love of learning are fostered. Encouraged in the pursuit of independent and self-motivated work, the students continue to apply their skills to the development of reason, relationships, analysis and abstraction. The focus remains on the individual student: given freedom within the classroom context, the individual student learns to choose responsibly and to take ownership of the unfolding educational process.

"Our aim is not merely to make children understand, and still less to force them to memorize, but so to touch their imagination as to enthuse them to their innermost core" -Dr Maria Montessori
Added to the experience in the classroom is a comprehensive French curriculum as well as studies in art, music, drama, health, sports and fitness. Students are involved in other programs which extend their focus to the community. Sports, nature, and cultural trips beyond the school boundaries assist to broaden the students' perspective in various areas of interest.