What is Montessori?

The mission of the Montessori preprimary program is to help young children live fully, promoting and encouraging respect, independence, self-motivation, and inner discipline. We strive to aid in the child’s physical, emotional, social, mental, familial and spiritual development.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT- Manipulation of a wide variety of specially designed apparatus helps develop the child’s sensory motor skills. A health and skill related physical fitness program, perceptual motor development program and group activities provide opportunities for focusing on specific areas of posturing, balance, movement, coordination and control as dictated by the child’s needs and development level. Health-supporting nutrition and food program is emphasized in the snack, food preparation and lunch program.

EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING- In an atmosphere of genuine respect for the uniqueness of each person, each child is helping in the learning process of experiencing, identifying and expressing his/her feelings in appropriate ways. The classroom materials are presented to the children according to their needs and developmental level, so that they are challenged, yet experience success. The child is free to work at her/his own rate, repeating an activity as often as she/he likes. Each new step is built on what the child has already mastered, so that success after success builds an inner confidence with the child feeling assured that he/she can learn independently. Thus confidence, independence, self awareness and respect deepen, resulting in a positive feeling about self, school, learning and teacher.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT- With the freedom of social interaction and personal choice, working alone, with another, or in a group, the child learns to cooperate, as well as to retrain spontaneous impulses, which might infringe upon the rights of others. Through tasks in which the ground rules limit, as well as foster their spontaneity, the children gradually develop an understanding and appreciation of what is meant by “respect for others.” Role playing activities, positive reinforcement of ground rules, problem solving techniques an assertiveness training are a part of the social/emotional education, which aids in the social perspective taking process.

MENTAL GROWTH- Through a series of absorbing experiences, the children form the habit of extended attention and thus increase their ability to concentrate. Their natural curiosity is fostered by providing opportunities to discover qualities, dimensions, patterns and relationships among a variety of stimulating learning situation and materials. Their abilities to judge and discriminate are sharpened. By participating in well-planned daily living, sensorial, language, mathematical, cultural, art, music, drama, social and natural science activities, the children acquire the concrete perceptual experiences needed for more abstract conceptual learning.

SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT- In an atmosphere of calm, gentleness and respect, with the deepest regard for the spirit within, the child may come to an increased awareness of his/her inner self, the development of inner-directedness and inner discipline (to coordinate and control his/her own body). A sense of responsibility (ability to respond), a sensitivity to and respect for his/her self and others, an awareness and appreciation of beauty, nature and silence are also a part of the development of spirit.