Montessori Philosophy

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Montessori Philosophy

The Montessori educational philosophy is based on the belief that a child learns best in an environment where his/her individual development is respected. Students learn to work independently and in groups in classrooms that encourage creativity, self-direction and decision-making. Teachers in Montessori classrooms are the “guides on the side”, not “Sages on the stage”--they nurture independent learning one-on-one alongside students rather than leading an entire classroom along one path. Since students are encouraged to think independently and to make decisions from an early age, they are effective problem-solvers who develop a strong, positive sense of self.

Maria Montessori was the first female doctor in the turn-of-the-twentieth-century Italy who based her educational method on multi-modal, experiential learning. Her method is found on all continents and is thriving in the twenty-first century. There are over 5,000 Montessori schools in North America.

Maria Montessori saw a great need for reform in the education system of her day and devoted her lifetime to creating schools that develop the full potential of each individual child. She believed that education could be a powerful force by creating more responsible and caring individuals and that through observation, individual liberty and a carefully prepared environment great success was possible. Parents today want to feel safe and secure in leaving their children in a school that provides for all of their academic, social and emotional needs. A Montessori environment does meet all of these needs and more. It teaches children an “I can do it” attitude that will ensure their future success in all aspects of their life. Other benefits of a Montessori education are:

Individual learning
Montessori recognizes that each child learns at a different pace and we allow the time for that growth to take place. Montessori’s method is based on a deep understanding and appreciation of child development.

Three year age span of children within the classroom
Older children help to teach the younger children which reinforces their own learning and builds self-esteem. There is a strong sense of community in each classroom.

Emphasis on concrete learning first provides a firm foundation for abstraction
Children need to experience concepts in concrete “hands on” ways before they can think abstractly about concepts.

Children work for the joy of working and the sense of discovery
Children are natural leaders and delight in learning new tasks. They are interested in the work itself rather then in the end product.

Classroom environment provides the structure for behavior expectations
The “ground rules” are clear, predictable and constant and reinforced by the children and the adults.

Teacher plays an unobtrusive role in the classroom
Children are motivated by their own need for self-development and not by the teacher.

Montessori materials are sef-correcting
Children learn through their own efforts to make correct decisions versus having the teachers point out their mistakes.

At Messiah Montessori School we are committed to creating a supportive and stimulating environment. Our focused educational effort is based on the belief that children have an innate desire to learn, manifest their potential and discover ways to contribute meaningfully to the world community.

The Montessori prepared environment offers structure within the framework of choice. Students make thoughtful decisions from the beautiful didactic materials in the classroom and build upon each activity. Teacher give lessons and guidance and encourage extensions and additional exploration of the materials.