The Montessori approach is inspired by the work Dr Maria Montessori, Italy’s first female doctor, who created a revolutionary pedagogy over 100 years ago. It quickly became the world’s largest education movement.
The Montessori philosophy is based on the belief that a child’s early years (from birth to six) are the period where the greatest academic and social learning potential exists and it encourages children to be independent, self-confident learners through choosing their own work.
Much emphasis is placed on the prepared environment. The Montessori classroom is clean and ordered with an atmosphere of calm and busy concentration. Maria Montessori emphasized the importance of child sized furniture and easily accessible materials. The materials are attractive to the children and carefully maintained. The children are actively encouraged to help look after the classroom and respect the materials. Whether it is replacing materials in the correct place, preparing a snack or cleaning up a spillage, the children are encouraged to do everything for themselves.
Montessori teachers ‘direct’ learning rather than impose it and the child is allowed to progress at their own speed. Maria Montessori said, ‘the greatest sign of success for a teacher - is to be able to say, the children are now working as if I did not exist’.
