The Montessori method of education was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, Italy's first female physician. She opened her first "school" (Casa dei Bambini) in 1907. Today, Montessori schools flourish all over the world. Fundamental to all of Dr. Montessori's ideas is a deep respect for a child's ability to learn. She recognized that children go through certain phases during which they learn more easily than at any other time in their lives. This innate potential to learn is dependent upon a loving environment that encourages the active pursuit of knowledge.

Dr. Montessori's developmentally-appropriate approach to learning is designed to fit each child instead of making each child fit into a preset program. She believed that learning should take place in multi-aged classrooms where children who are at various stages of development can learn from and with each other. This learning should take place in a non-competitive atmosphere in order for each child to develop at his/her own speed.

Dr. Montessori observed that the best way for young children to learn is by active, hands-on experiences. She developed the idea of the prepared environment, where the classroom contains a wide variety of cognitive materials that foster learning in numerous areas. The purpose of the materials is not just to impart knowledge to children, but rather to provide them with stimuli that capture their attention and initiate a process of concentration.

Purpose and Objectives

• To provide a prepared environment in which the stated purpose can be achieved, in keeping with Montessori principles
• To provide an instructional program that follows the curriculum based on the use of Montessori concepts and materials
• To provide toddler and preschool programs for children 2-6 years old

Basic Montessori Principles

• It is very important to have some CONTINUITY between the school and the home
• FREEDOM:- within limits - implemented together with discipline. Every program has its set of ground rules which differ from age to age, but is always based on core Montessori believes of respect for each other and for the environment
• INDEPENDENCE:- allowing for it and encouraging it - here both the adult and the environment play an important role
• RESPECT:- for the child as an individual. His/Her opinion is valuable - encourage participation in decision making, listen to him/her, love him and accept his limitations and failures. We must ALWAYS show him that we love him/her, and will never withdraw this love
• RESPONSIBILITY:- realize what he/she is capable of, and foster within each child a spirit of independence - "I can do it". Give him/her chores and responsibilities at home - cleaning his room, helping with laundry, sweeping, vacuuming, unpacking and sorting groceries, cleaning mirrors and windows, watering plants, setting the table, etc.
• Remember that we are not the primary educators - the parents are!

Understanding the philosophy behind the concept of the 'prepared environment'

The basic idea behind the Montessori philosophy is that each child is the driving force behind his own development. In order to achieve the goal of maximising his/her own individual developmental potential, each child needs the freedom to follow his/her inner guides.

The Montessori prepared environment is carefully and specifically designed to allow the child to develop at his/her own pace, according to his/her own capacities, in a non-competitive atmosphere. Maria Montessori said that the only valid path to true learning at this age is the self-motivation of the child.

The adult prepares the environment and offers the child stimulation, but it is the child who educates himself/herself through his /her own activities and interaction with the environment around him. A Montessori education introduces the child to the joys of learning at an early age, and provides a framework in which intellectual and social discipline go hand-in-hand.

The main objective of the Montessori prepared environment is to provide a carefully planned, stimulating environment which helps the child to develop within himself/herself the fundamental habits, attitudes and skills which are essential for a lifetime of creative thinking and learning; such as:

• Independence, responsibility and self discipline
• self-motivation and a love of work and knowledge
• self-esteem and dignity
• competent social skills & self-confidence in various inter-personal relationships
• respect for self and others
• an understanding of the world and a desire to look after it

Within this environment, we aim to help develop each child's individual and full potential, which is unified across all planes (intellectual, social & emotional, physical and spiritual), thus resulting in a happy, sensitive, caring child, who knows and understands himself and the world around him.

Maria Montessori felt that these characteristics were the culmination of a natural process of developmental maturation, and termed the child thus revealed a "normalised child"; whose early erratic behaviour has become focused and purposeful, unfolding and revealing the true nature of the child, showing his character and personality in harmony with his environment.

IN GENERAL, the Montessori Pre-school environment is one which is carefully prepared to provide for all the needs of the young child, and to develop the whole child - on every level. It is a structured environment, which encourages self-discipline, while allowing for individual growth and development. It allows for a progressive accumulation of all the necessary knowledge and skills required for LIFE - not just big school - it enables the child to become a "citizen of the world", a true member of his society. It is truly a preparation for life.