About Montessori
A Montessori education fosters a love of learning in children. It helps children to build self confidence, self-discipline and self-esteem and guides them towards positive social behaviour. Whilst encouraging independence it also develops a respect and caring for other people, their property and privacy. All of this is achieved in an orderly, prepared environment created especially for the child.
Developed at the turn of the twentieth Century by Maria Montessori, Italy’s first female doctor, this approach to education is based on the promise that the first six years of your child’s life are the most crucial for later learning. Dr Maria Montessori pioneered this unique method of education, which is now heralded throughout the world for the results it produces with children from all backgrounds.
Why Montessori?
The Montessori approach actually encourages a child’s love of learning. It takes into account your child’s remarkable power to absorb knowledge and to learn from his or her environment. Unlike conventional methods that are controlled by rote and memorised facts, the Montessori approach continues to stimulate and develop a spontaneous and independent individual.
The Montessori classroom is an environment that nourishes your child’s natural curiosity and desire to explore at their own pace. Each child experiences the excitement of making his/her own discoveries with a range of carefully thought-out practical and sensorial experiences. Much of it is self-correcting so the child can see for himself/herself when they have succeeded. Achieving builds confidence and self-discipline, while the activities assist co-ordination, concentration and an organised approach to problem solving. Tasks are programmed so that each new step is built on what your child has already mastered
The Importance of Early Childhood Development
Dr. Maria Montessori, spent forty years developing her method of education and during that time she discovered that children have an innate desire to learn and an effortless ability to teach themselves when given an orderly, prepared environment in which to do so. She believed that education began at birth and that the first six years, being the most formative both physically and mentally, are the most important. It is during this time that a child’s absorption is at its highest and attitudes and patterns of learning are formed that will last for life.
The Montessori teacher approaches each child with a profound respect for his/her individual personality and requirements. She guides and observes each child, presenting new experiences to him/her in a very precise an deliberate manner, building on what he/she has already achieved. In all the material there is a “control of error” factor, which allows the child to correct his/her own mistakes thus developing confidence and self-esteem.
Montessori Classroom Is Divided Into Five Distinct Areas:
- Practical Life
- Sensorial
- Mathematics
- Language
- Culture
The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)
Belonging, Being and Becoming – The Early Years Learning Framework describes the principles, practices and outcomes that support and enhance young children’s learning from birth to five years of age, as well as their transition to school. It recognises that as children participate in everyday life, they develop interests and construct their own identities and understanding of the world through exploring those interests. The framework offers a vision where ‘all children experience learning that is engaging and builds success for life’. The framework is a key component of the National Quality Framework for early childhood education and care.
Bright Stars Montessori Preschool believes the EYLF and Montessori Curriculum combined offers a holistic platform for child development and education, setting the children up for life long learning