Montessori Philosophy
What is Montessori?
Montessori is an educational approach focusing on independence, respect for a child’s natural development and freedom. It is founded on the premise that while children develop in different ways and at different rates, they do so in a defined sequence. The Montessori approach holds that young children have a natural drive to understand the world around them and they can best learn through self-teaching in carefully prepared environments, under the guidance of a caring teacher.
What happens at Stepping Stones Montessori?
At Stepping Stones Montessori we have a weekly timetable filled with Montessori activities led by a teacher. Some of the activities are on a one to one basis and some are in large or small groups. We ensure that we are linking all of the activities to each child’s development as well as to the EYFS. We provide support to help your child at home with a weekly Montessori update by classroom. Parents information meetings give all parents the opportunity to ask any questions or understand how Montessori can really help with their child’s development.
All children want to learn. In the Montessori environment, children have the freedom (within limits) to choose their own activities. With this freedom of choice, children will become enthusiastic learners and this will aid them to develop self-discipline. The Montessori environment is child-centered. Children progress at their own pace. Lessons are given on individual basis or in small groups. This enables the teacher to discover more about each individual child and their inner development. Children develop best in a caring environment where they are allowed to express themselves and when learning experiences interest them and are part of their world.
The Montessori Classroom
The Montessori classroom is a “living room” for children. Children choose their activities from open shelves with self-correcting materials and work in distinct work areas – on tables or on rugs on the floor.
The Montessori approach stems from a number of Montessori beliefs, that all children;
- Are unique individuals
- Have immense potential
- Want to learn and be busy
- Do not learn in the same way as adults do
Montessori focuses on six key areas of learning;
- Practical Life
- Sensorial
- Language
- Mathematics
- Cultural
- Creative activities
The practical life exercises enhance the development of task organization and cognitive order through care of self, care of environment, exercises of grace and courtesy, and refinement of physical movement and coordination.
The sensorial materials enable the child to order, classify and describe sensory impressions in relation, length, width, temperature, mass, colour, etc.
The Montessori maths materials, through concrete manipulative materials, allows the child to internalise the concepts of number, symbol, sequence, operations and memorisation of basic facts. The language work includes oral language development, written expression, reading, and the study of grammar, creative dramatics and children’s literature. Basic skills in writing and reading are developed through the use of sandpaper letters (loose alphabet letters) and various presentations allowing children to effortlessly link sounds and symbols and to express their thoughts in writing. The child is also presented with geography, history, life sciences, music, art and movement education