Montessori Methodology

I'am often asked about school districts and schools when buyers are selecting their new home and more and more are questioning "Montessori" What is it and do I need to send my kids to a "Montessori School" My Four Kids all attend Desert Garden Montessori School and they love it!!

So what is it?



Montessori Methodology

Montessori schools theoretically cover infant education through matriculation from high school. In practice most Montessori schools offer infant education through 8th grade. 90% of Montessori schools have very young children starting as toddlers (3-6)

The centerpiece of the Montessori approach is allowing children to learn on their own while being guided by the teacher. Montessori teachers do not correct work and hand it back with lots of red marks. A child's work is not graded. The teacher assesses what the child has learned and then guides him into new areas of discovery.

This description of a Montessori school was written by Ruth Hurvitz of The Montessori School in Wilton, CT. I am grateful to her for sharing her many years of experience as a Montessori teacher with us.

"The Montessori School's culture is devoted to helping each child grow toward independence by building confidence, competence, self-esteem and respect for others. More than an approach to education, Montessori is an approach to life. The program at The Montessori School, both in philosophy and pedagogy, is based on the scientific research work of Dr. Maria Montessori and on AMI Montessori training. The School respects children as self-directed individuals and fosters their growth toward independence and social responsibility, while creating a joyful, diverse and family-oriented community.

Montessori classrooms are designed in a multi-age mix from toddlers through adolescents which allows for both individual and social development. The classrooms are beautiful by design. They are set up in an open style, with work areas throughout the room and materials available on accessible shelving. Most lessons are given to small groups or individual children while other children are working independently.

The school uses stories, Montessori materials, charts, time lines, objects of nature, treasures from the wealth of cultures around the worlds and sometime conventional tools to teach the children. Guided by the teacher, Montessori students actively participate in planning their time and taking responsibility for their work.

Committed to diversity, The Montessori School community is inclusive and depends on the tenets of respect. The school believes in sharing what we have with those in need and encouraging children to learn to live responsibly in the world. At The Montessori School, students are inspired to live both passionately and compassionately in a global community."

I for one would not have it any other way Crouchman



onward in 2011