The Montessori Method
Montessori provides your children with a skill set for the 21st century. It follows the principles of human development and rests upon the concept of following the child in a prepared environment to unlock their human potential.
Building confidence and empowerment in growing minds
The essence of Montessori education is to help children in their development and give them what they need for optimal learning and personal growth. Children are placed right into the centre of their world and society and are assisted in becoming caring, self-motivated and fulfilled individuals. In the Montessori environment, children are given the freedom to choose and therefore, learning comes naturally. Montessori children always view learning positively because they can explore and surface their individuality and unique talents and interests. Through the learning process, they gain a deeper understanding of themselves and of others.
"The flame inside of the child must be kindled, not extinguished"
-Maria Montessori
Harnessing curiosity to unlock creativity
Montessori children are given opportunities to question things more deeply. They are encouraged to become more curious about the world around them, thinking boldly into the questions as to "Why?", and ignite their passion for knowledge and exploration. Exploding the potential of human curiosity is the true superpower that unlocks problem solving and creativity. These are true skills that prepare children for success in our world, serving them particularly well in the evolving digital age in the 21st century. We need Montessori education in today's world - see this short YouTube clip.
"The child is capable of developing and giving us tangible proof of the possibilty of a better humanity"
-Maria Montessori
3 things to know about Montessori
1 The Montessori method originates from scientific studies on human development
It was founded on brain science which looked into how children learn best. Italian physician, educator, and innovator Dr Maria Montessori developed this method by spending years observing children’s development patterns and ways of learning. She then crafted this way of learning based on her findings.
2 At its core, Montessori education is about developing a child's natural love to learn
Dr. Montessori observed that each child is naturally curious with an innate desire to learn, and this is nurtured by enabling the child to choose and progress by following their interests within the limits of a carefully prepared environment. With all this carefully in place, children will naturally self-construct themselves to the learning opportunities offered to them, so they develop to their maximum potential and become lifelong learners.
3 Latest evidence shows that Montessori children thrive
Montessori education is backed by science and is recognised to inspire dispositions that bring about leadership and positive influence in children wherever they may be. There are many famous adults who are now a testament to the success of Montessori education.
Typical dispositions that surface are:
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Self confidence
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Creativity
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Being intrinsically motivated by their work and love learning
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Managing time effectively
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Being able to concentrate
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Conducting themselves with grace and courtesy
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Critical thinking
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Strong social and collaboration skills.
In recent years, Montessori has gained attention from researchers and educators who have been interested in studying its effectiveness. Here is an example of one recent published research study
Further explore Montessori
Montessori has gained popularity of the years with families who seek a different approach to education. To determine if Montessori fits your education hopes and expectations, there is much to learn and understand, but the good news is that resources are widely accessible. Montessori Aotearoa New Zealand (MANZ) provide detailed parent guides for various age groups: