|
Within established, clear routines children feel safe and secure, gaining the self-confidence necessary to fully participate in all activities. The children choose their own work, and are responsible, with any help necessary, for themselves (e.g. washing hands after painting), at times for others (e.g. helping another child complete a task), and for maintaining the classroom environment (e.g. putting their work away neatly). Children soon realize that their ideas and suggestions are given serious consideration, and can be incorporated into the program. This not only raises self-esteem but also helps children become more aware of others, and their feelings and needs. Co-operation, sharing, and helping others evolve naturally through observation, discussion and experience.
The basic idea of the Montessori Method of Education, in general and in our program in particular, is to promote development of the whole child through a wide variety of exercises and activities. The individual and group needs of each child are considered, with the understanding that children grow and learn best in a rich, warm, safe and secure environment.
Once children feel safe and secure, and realize that their ideas are welcome and will be given serious consideration, it is amazing to discover just how creative they are. We encourage participation in generating possible solutions when problems arise, and support the children in trying out their own ideas. Also learned - if it does not work the first time, try again. In many ways, children are capable, competent and sensible, and we encourage them to discover this in themselves.
Children learn best through all their senses - by touching, seeing, smelling, tasting and exploring - not just by simply listening. That's why the Montessori approach focuses on the "whole child," allowing children to develop intellectually, physically, socially and creatively.
Our activities are developed to provide both individual experiences and social development, so your child may choose to work alone on her own projects, or may also choose to work with other children in a group activity. Because we also believe that children learn from other children, our classrooms combine older and younger students. This way students learn from their peers and respect their own and each other's ability to be a teacher as well as a student. The children are free to engage themselves in activities that interest them. They can spend as much time as needed on any given activity. In our classrooms, each child is respected as an individual thinker and is encouraged to make decisions on her own.
Children are treated with love and respect, their needs and wants given serious consideration. The School belongs to the children (a 'Children's House' as Maria Montessori described it),and the program is set up for them (not for adult convenience). The children are not dependent upon adults for evaluations of what they have done. Many of the activities are self-directing and self-correcting, ensuring success and satisfaction upon completion, resulting in gradual growth of skills. Even if a child finds that he is unable to do a certain piece of work, we encourage him to work up to it, and say that he will be able to do it in the future (older children will often explain to younger children how they learned). Children see clearly how they are growing and developing. The staff uses positive feedback to promote self-esteem.
One of the basic philosophies in Montessori education is to develop your child's physical, intellectual and spiritual potential to the fullest. To accomplish this, each child must be provided choices. These choices are given to children in what Dr. Montessori called the "prepared environment." The Montessori classroom provides order and structure through a safe and enriching environment which allows children to learn at their own speed, according to their own capabilities, in a way that they enjoy, in a non-competitive environment.
Our classroom is an exciting place for your child to be! Our shelves are filled with many interesting and beautiful materials that provide your child with fun and stimulating activities that nurture excitement and curiosity. Because the classroom is well organized, all the materials are visible and accessible to the children.
The Montessori Directress is trained to teach respect and positive values through the way they teach and by serving as a role model to the children. The Directress is trained to not only teach children to learn, but to also help children become independent, responsible, self-disciplined and cooperative.
At Island Montessori, we believe it is important that our Directresses have a strong educational background. That's why all of our Directresses are certified through a national Montessori affiliation, ensuring hundreds of hours of training and instruction. Because of our high expectations, we have quality professionals, ensuring your child will receive a quality program throughout the year.
In some "traditional" preschool programs, the teacher may be the center of the classroom, choosing the activities. The lessons are presented to the whole class. But in a Montessori classroom, the Directress is trained to help direct each child on activities they have chosen. The Directress presents lessons to individuals. Other children can participate if they are interested. This way, the Directress can address the specific needs of a child and can respond to that individual child's level of interest and understanding. The child does not become frustrated because they are forced to sit through something they are not ready for. This individualized attention also allows the Directress to become more familiar with each child. Thus, the Directress understands the child more fully and is able to better provide for each individual child.
The well-trained staff do little direct teaching in the formerly understood sense of imparting knowledge. Their task is rather to observe each child in order to assess his or her individual needs and to act as a dynamic link between the child and the educational material.