top of page

About Montessori

The Montessori Method of education, developed by Maria Montessori, is a child-centered educational approach based on scientific observations of children from birth to adulthood. Montessori's method has been used for over 100 years in many parts of the world.

The Montessori method views the child as one who is naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a supportive, thoughtfully prepared learning environment. It attempts to develop children physically, socially, emotionally and cognitively.

Essential elements of Montessori education:

  • Mixed age classrooms.

  • Student choice of activity from within a prescribed range of options.

  • Uninterrupted blocks of work time.

  • constructivist or "discovery" model, where students learn concepts from working with materials, rather than by direct instruction.

  • Specialized educational materials developed by Montessori and her collaborators often made out of natural, aesthetic materials such as wood, rather than plastic.

  • A thoughtfully prepared environment where materials are organized by subject area, within reach of the child, and are appropriate in size.

  • Freedom of movement within the classroom.

  • A trained Montessori teacher who follows the child and is highly experienced in observing the individual child's characteristics, tendencies, innate talents and abilities.

 

The Montessori Method is uniquely different from other preschool programs. It is based on a sensible balance between freedom and structure - specifically designed for the preschool aged child. It has several key elements including, structure and order, nature and cultural awareness, fostering a love of learning in the child and hands-on learning manipulatives and materials.

Why Montessori?

Elements believes in the Montessori Method.  The method of empowering children to think independently and learn both from their mistakes as well as from the children that surround them. The Montessori Method is a revolutionary method of observing and supporting the natural development of children. Montessori educational practice helps children develop creativity, problem solving, social, and time-management skills, to contribute to society and the environment, and to become fulfilled persons in their particular time and place on earth. The basis of Montessori practice in the classroom is respecting individual choice of research and work, and uninterrupted concentration rather than group lessons led by an adult.

Testimonials 

" Critics note his extraordinary ability to learn from others, one hallmark of Montessori education.  "

     "  You can’t understand Google,” says Wired, “unless you know [its founders] were Montessori kids… In a Montessori school, you paint because you have something to express or you just want to… not because the teacher said so. This is baked into Larry and Sergey… it’s how their brains were programmed early on.  "

— Jeff Bezos, Founder of Amazon                   read more

Sergey Brin & Larry Page, Founders of Google           read more

    " She, like all Montessori students, learned to cultivate observation skills and record her thoughts in a journal early on. Diary of a Young Girl has been translated into 67 languages and is one of the best loved books in the world today .   "

     "  As a child, Wales was an avid reader with an acute intellectual curiosity, to which he credits his Montessori school’s philosophy of education.  " 

— Ann Frank, Memorist & Author        read more

— Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia               read more

bottom of page