The Montessori Method
At Little Steps Montessori Nursery School, our teaching method ensures that each child is never overwhelmed, by taking small steps at the child’s own pace and by building on previously learnt skills. We teach in a multi-sensory way with good quality materials and equipment. Contact us today for more details.
The Materials
Most materials are self-correcting, and the children can realise any error without assistance.
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The children are able to solve problems independently, which builds self-confidence and analytical thinking.
The Child
The guiding principle in the classroom is “freedom within limits”. Children will learn at their own individual pace and according to their own choice of activities. Learning is an exciting process of discovery, leading to:
Concentration
Self-Discipline
Motivation
Love of Learning
The Teacher
The Montessori teacher is viewed as a guide to the discovery of knowledge. The teacher guides the child’s activity in the environment. She is the vital link between children and the environment, presenting the materials to facilitate discovery.
The teacher is constantly aware of each child’s individual needs and goals and actively seeks ways to help attain them.
The Prepared Environment
The first aim of the prepared environment is, as far as possible, to provide the growing child with the ability to become independent of the adult.
The Montessori classroom is designed as an environment to facilitate maximum exploration and independence by the child. In the peaceful and ordered classroom, children work on activities of their own choice at their own pace. This gives them a sense of freedom and self-discipline designed to meet their developmental needs.
Who Was Maria Montessori?
Maria Montessori lived from 1870 to 1952. She was the first woman to attend medical school and the first female doctor of medicine in Italy. Through her work with handicapped and socially deprived children, she developed her unique educational method, known as the Montessori method. As a result of her further study, observation and experimentation, she found the principles of her method to be applicable to all children. She had a huge impact on the field of education in general and the way we understand and teach children today.
The Montessori method of teaching encourages children to develop at their own pace and to gain skills such as independence, concentration and problem solving which are essential life skills that will help them continue making good progress through the rest of their education.
