Montessori Method & Philosophy

The Montessori philosophy originates in the teachings of Maria Montessori, who focused on the development of the human individual through all stages of childhood. Montessori focused on the role of childhood in the formation of adults; she is a formidable progenitor of so much of today's thought concerning early childhood education. For Montessori, education is considered integral to the development of the child. At the same time, it's important to note that the Montessori philosophy is not restricted to education.

The Montessori method
As an educational method, Montessori teaching focuses on the child's experience, characterized by a focus on self-directed activity, where the teacher's role is more observational than what might be considered traditional or typical. The teacher is sometimes called a guide in the Montessori philosophy. In Montessori education, the environment is adapted to the child and his or her development. Seatwork is downplayed in favour of physical activity and interaction.

In the Montessori method, reading is taught using phonics and a whole language approach.

Our Kids has had a long association with a number of Montessori schools, including an especially close relationship with Toronto and Missisisauga Montessori schools.

Concepts in the Montessori philosophy
• The Montessori philosophy is based on the idea that children are markedly different from adults. Ms. Montessori advocated children's rights and believed that if children were treated with more respect and understood more fully, the world that they helped create as adults would be an increasingly better place.
• The Montessori philosophy downplays the notions of performance evaluation with numbers or letters.
• Children should have much more say in what they learn. In fact, they are capable of self-directed learning.
• The teacher as observer facilitates better ways for the child to direct his or her own learning by (for example) providing more material they are interested in. The development of the teacher-student dynamic in Montessori might be described as moving from "help me to help myself" to "help me to do it myself" and eventually "help me to think for myself."
• Children are susceptible to "sensitive periods" or what might be called "intellectual growth spurts." Properly understood and used, these periods can provide great benefit to children if these bursts are not left ignored or lost in adherence to a rigid curricula. (Some hold that lack of proper stimulation during these periods of heightened attention can contribute to Children ought to be masters of their environments, with as much control as (or more than) we assume adults have.

It is important to note that not all schools calling themselves Montessori follow a rigid Montessori philosophy. The word 'Montessori' is not a trademark, and there are many schools that follow Montessori only obliquely. The great majority of schools listed below remain closely faithful to the Montessori philosophy.