Theory

The Montessori Method

Toddler (18 months-3 years)Montessori AMS Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YwN3N-7SMo
Primary (3-6 years) AMS Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM1Gu9KXVkk
Elementary (1st – 6th grade) AMS Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTpAILazPnM

Following the Montessori principles, the goal of early childhood education should not be to fill a child with facts from a pre-selected course of studies, but rather to cultivate his/her own natural desire to learn. This is achieved through a carefully prepared environment and guidance from well-trained teachers.

The idea behind the Montessori approach is that students need both a stimulating, well prepared environment and positive adult guidance to maximize each child’s full potential. The students have freedom of choice within the environment, allowing each child to fully pursue his/her own interests in all of the areas.

The Montessori materials isolate different concepts for the child to discover through his/her experiences with them. They have built-in control of error, allowing the student to discover his/her own mistakes and to minimize the need for correction by others, helping to build the student’s self-esteem and feelings of success.