09 September 2010
What is Montessori?
Children teach themselves
This simple but profound truth inspired Dr Maria Montessori's lifelong pursuit of educational reform, methodology, psychology, teaching, and teacher training - all based on her dedication to furthering the self-creating process of the child.
is designed around the child, full of activities to stimulate the senses and develop life skills.
What we aim to teach
- Respect for oneself, for others, for the environment and all walks of life
- A lifelong love of learning curiosity and wonder, an enquiring mind, problem-solving, patience and tenacity
- Independence self-possession, responsibility and adaptability to the ever-changing world.
How we teach
- Experience sensations, ideas and facts, stories, pictures, making things work. Seeing, hearing, touching, smelling and tasting prepare the ground for understanding.
- Environment a quiet, organised, child-sized workplace where there is space to explore, time to discover, and tools for learning
- People everyone has something to teach, and something to learn. Adults observe and guide, younger children learn from the older and older learn from the younger.
Montessori Resources
NSW Montessori Association
www.nsw.montessori.edu.au
North American Montessori Teachers' Association
www.montessori-namta.org
Montessori Unlimited
www.montessori.com
Books about Maria Montessori:
Maria Montessori: Her Life and Work by EM Standing
Maria Montessori: Biography by Rita Kramer
Books by Maria Montessori:
The Secret of Childhood
The Discovery of the Child
A Child in the Family
Information about the Montessori teaching method:
Montessori: A Modern Approach by Paula P Lillard
Montessori and Your Child, a Primer for Parents by Terry Malloy