What is Montessori? Learning through discovery.
At Montessori Children's School, we're all about self-teaching and learning through discovery. Developed in the 1800s by doctor and educator Maria Montessori, the method focuses on children's learning and development through exploration — the idea that children learn more, and develop a greater interest in future learning, when they're encouraged to teach themselves rather than being told what to do.
Children develop at their own pace.
A Montessori classroom is a child-centered environment. Activities are generally done individually or in small, self-selected groups, with infrequent whole-group lessons. Children progress at their own pace, moving to the next step in each area of learning as they're ready. While each child lives within a larger community, every student is viewed as a "universe of one."
Each classroom offers a prepared environment that lets children develop at their own pace. Materials and "jobs" are carefully made to self-teach the child. This is referred to as "control of error," which enables our teachers to evaluate the child's understanding and to correct the child without negative reinforcement. The goal is to motivate the child to learn and experience independently within a safe structure — teaching children to enjoy learning and discovering.
Three pillars of the Montessori method.
Social Dynamics
Children learn to make choices based on their feelings through strategies that include monthly virtues and the language of those virtues. This guides behavior and helps children choose actions that lead to positive results, establishing a foundation of respect for others and the environment that stays with them for life.
School Readiness
Our program prepares preschool and pre-kindergarten children both socially and academically. Pre-K children are offered a homework program that builds the important home/school connection. Parents are encouraged to attend planned Parent/Teacher conferences to stay involved in each child's development.
A Holistic Approach
The Montessori method focuses on each child as an individual with distinct needs, interests, and personality. Our teachers guide children through discovery of their environment and exploration of concepts. Children move freely within the limits and ground rules of the community, with gentle and positive redirection.
The learning areas of the Montessori classroom.
Every child is eager to explore, discover, and figure things out. Our teachers provide a wide variety of learning opportunities and materials that follow your child's interests while exposing them to new experiences and ideas. Here are the learning areas your child will experience at our school.
A hands-on approach to building a strong sense of numbers and practicing the basic math concepts children need to be ready for kindergarten and beyond.
Our curriculum helps your child increase vocabulary and comprehension. Our early-literacy program prepares your child for handwriting and reading at their own rhythm, with teachers guiding meaningful language experiences.
Hands-on activities using real tools to do real jobs — developing coordination, concentration, critical thinking, and problem-solving alongside food preparation, cleanliness, and social graces.
Children explore sciences like botany and zoology, plus geography, history, art, and music. Maps, globes, flags, and continent studies develop appreciation for their own and other cultures.
Children use hands-on sensorial materials developed by Maria Montessori to discover color, shape, texture, smell, sound, weight, and temperature — using all five senses to understand the world around them.