The Montessori Method

The first Montessori School was opened by Dr. Maria Montessori in Rome in 1907, and she was highly acclaimed for creating a method of learning that allows children to naturally build their skills. She dedicated her life to opening people’s eyes to the Montessori method and traveled the world lecturing about her approach to early childhood education. There are now over 22,000 Montessori schools worldwide.

The Montessori Method developed by Dr. Montessori includes the following:

Montessori Considers The Whole Child. Montessori Considers The Whole Child. The primary goal of a Montessori program is to help each child reach their full potential in all areas of life. Activities promote the development of social skills, emotional growth, and physical coordination as well as cognitive preparation for future intellectual academic endeavors. The holistic curriculum, under the direction of a specifically prepared teacher, allows the child to experience the joy of learning, the time to enjoy the process, and ensures the development of self esteem. It provides the experiences from which children create their knowledge.

The Prepared Environment In order for self directed learning to take place, the whole learning environment: classroom, materials, and social setting/atmosphere, must be supportive of the child. The teacher provides the necessary resources, including opportunities for children to function in a safe and positive environment. Together, the teacher and child form a relationship based on trust and respect that fosters self-confidence and a willingness to try new things.

The Montessori Materials Dr. Montessori’s observations of the kinds of things which children enjoy, and go back to repeatedly, led her to design a number of multi-sensory, sequential, and self correcting materials to facilitate learning.

The Teacher Originally called a “directress”, the Montessori teacher functions as a designer of the environment, resource person, role model, demonstrator, record-keeper and meticulous observer of each child’s behavior and growth. The teacher facilitates learning. Extensive training is required for a full Montessori credential, including a year’s student teaching under a certified and credentialed teacher. Each teacher has specialized training for the age group with which they will work, i.e. Toddler, Children’s House, Primary, Elementary, or Middle School.

Do you have questions about Cherry Hill Montessori?

If you have questions about our Montessor academic programs, summer camp, or Montessori educational methods, reach out to us and we can help you find answers.