Montessori Education is based on the work of Italian physician, Dr. Maria Montessori, whose research in the first half of the twentieth century gave birth to an innovative educational system that has grown worldwide.
Dr. Montessori developed a philosophy based on the natural development of children and their intrinsic desire to explore, discover and learn from the world around them. |
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The fundamental tenet is that a child flourishes in a warm, nurturing environment which supports each individual's unique development. |
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Montessori Education promotes the development of social, emotional, and physical skills, as well as cognitive understanding and growth. |
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The Montessori Approach
Dr. Montessori's ideas were forerunners of contemporary ideas we know as "individualized learning" and the "open-classroom structure." Among Montessori's original contributions are:
- the idea of "sensitive periods" of development during which a
child is highly receptive to certain concepts
- the development of child-sized furniture and equipment
- an emphasis on concrete materials for the teaching of concepts
- recognition of the importance of repetitive behavior associated
with emerging mental abilities
- the basic design for an educational environment which fosters the
development of autonomy in the individual and recognizes the
interdependence of freedom and discipline
Montessori schools have long been established in many other countries. A new wave of American interest began in 1958, when Nancy McCormick Rambusch opened the Whitby School in Greenwich, Connecticut. Currently there are more than 10,000 private Montessori schools in the United States and over 500 public Montessori school programs.
The Montessori Classroom
A typical Montessori classroom includes children of multiple age levels, adults who guide and facilitate rather than direct, and a wide variety of materials and activities which are structured in a sequential manner to facilitate natural development and to communicate concepts. The uniqueness of the Montessori approach to education is immediately apparent as children choose their own work, receive a teacher demonstration, use their chosen materials independently and then return them to their place on the shelf.
MONTESSORI AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL
It is our firm conviction that all children are not only unique, but gifted and talented as well. We acknowledge that all children learn at different speeds, in different ways and that they have special areas of interest. The Montessori elementary classrooms are responsive environments where the needs and spirit of each child can be tended to with care and respect. The curriculum is formulated around the developmental, emotional, social and academic abilities of each child. For these reasons, children are taught in individual, small group and whole group lessons.
Children at the elementary level are entering what Dr. Montessori referred to as the second plane of development. The children flourish during this time as individuals and as contributing members of society.
LCME's environment is designed to provide a smooth and rich transition from the early childhood world of absorption of concrete information to a new and exciting stage of reason, relationships, socialization and abstraction. Children at the elementary level no longer learn primarily by absorbing information but by direct application of the conscious will. They are eager to understand and are more conscious of the world around them. The 6-12 age child is no longer interested primarily in facts (what & when) but in questions (why & how). In addition, this age child is an incredible social being. He is concerned with constructing a self-image and wants and looks for feedback from his peers. Our program encourages a sense of community and allows for group work through conversation and exchanging of ideas. We foster concern for others by encouraging sharing, compassion, generosity and helpfulness.
American Montessori Society Affiliation and Teacher Training
There are many organizations that train teachers and certify Montessori schools as members. The Learning Circle Montessori Elementary School is an affiliate of the American Montessori Society (AMS) www.amshq.org. AMS was founded in 1960 by Nancy Rambusch in response to the overwhelming public demand for more information regarding Montessori education. Today, the American Montessori Society is a national, non-profit educational society whose purpose is to help children develop their fullest potential through the educational principles of Dr. Maria Montessori. The organization is dedicated to promoting better education for all children by developing Montessori programs, accrediting schools, granting credentials, encouraging research, organizing seminars and symposia, offering consulting services and promoting all other areas that relate to the Montessori philosophy.
If you are interested in learning more about The American Montessori Society you may write the AMS office at 281 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010-6102 or visit www.amshq.org
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