The Montessori approach is based on the natural laws of human development. Maria Montessori observed that children under the age of six absorb limitlessly and effortlessly from the world around them and, in doing so, lay down foundations for later life. She identified certain windows of opportunity - she called them 'sensitive periods" - when the child is irresistibly drawn to the things he needs to help him develop. Everything in the classroom is designed to support these windows of opportunity.
The materials are child-sized, and the equipment, which is aesthetically pleasing and meticulously cared for, is laid out in an orderly fashion on low shelves that are easily accessible.
Children between the ages of three to six are grouped together. The younger children learn from watching the older children and the older ones benefit by role modeling and helping the younger ones. The mixed ages allow the children to develop socially, intellectually and emotionally. This is an essential aspect of any Montessori school.
The curriculum is designed to give the children the opportunity to practice everyday skills and to help them develop concentration and co-ordination of mind and body. The sensory materials make the most of the fact that children use their senses to learn. Through practice and perfection of these activities the children learn to discriminate, order and classify the physical properties of the world they live in. The child under six has a great capacity for mental absorption. The Montessori prepared environment allows the child to explore the didactic materials freely on their own initiative. This freedom has responsibilities attached to it, as grace and courtesy is an important skill in our environments. The teachers respond to the needs of the individual child, giving lessons when appropriate. The child happily makes creative choices and repeats activities in order to reinforce their knowledge of the materials.
This strengthens concentration and social skills so necessary in the classroom.
Activities in the Practical Life area of the classroom set the child up for success when taking care of their classroom, themselves and socially. Grace and Courtesy is discussed and encouraged at all times.
Small and gross motor movements are " strengthened through the use of activities in this area as well. The activities in the Sensorial area develop and enrich all five senses, which in turn heightens the child's experiences while at school and at home. The materials for Math help the children develop an understanding of mathematical concepts in a concrete way. Activities designed to prepare the children for reading and writing are presented to the child from the start of their life in the classroom. Geography, history, biology, botany, zoology, art and music are covered through a hands-on approach based on the fact that children learn most effectively from their own experiences, personal and purposeful. In a Montessori school, you will see children choosing activities independently and moving from one activity to the next, always returning their chosen activity to the shelf after use. There is an atmosphere of calm and responsibility as the child is observed concentrating for surprising periods of time. The children work individually, in a group or with a friend.
Groups arise spontaneously rather than at a fixed time.
Observation of the child by the teacher is ongoing in a Montessori environment. The child is guided by a trained Montessori teacher who presents an activity to the child when he/she shows they are ready, being careful never to give more help than is necessary. Often, another child will help, the very response that Dr. Montessori would want to observe. Children work at their own pace and naturally develop their own rhythm. The 'directress' is not teaching the child; she is putting him in charge of his own learning through his own exploration - another key part of the Montessori approach.
In a true Montessori school, like Gatehouse, you will find a pleasant, calm and well organized environment where all of the materials and furniture are designed specifically to "fit" children 3-5 years of age. The classroom is usually divided into specific areas, where the child can work on the following skills: practical life, sensorial, mathematics, language and cultural subjects. The child knows where to find the materials he/she needs as everything has a place, and there is a place for everything. In a Montessori classroom, you will see children who have learnt how to explore and solve problems themselves and who work cooperatively with one another.
