Cornerstones

 

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE EARLY YEARS


"The most important period of his life is not the age of University studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six At no other age has the child greater need for an intelligent help and any obstacle that impedes his creative work will lessen the chance he has of achieving perfection." Since Dr Montessori wrote these words, research has shown the importance of the early years. During this period unconscious learning is gradually brought to the conscious level and the foundation for later learning is laid down.

What you should know

ABSORBENT MIND


Children possess unusual sensitivity and mental powers for absorbing and learning from their environment, quite unlike adults.

RESPECT


Children have to be respected as being different from adults and as individuals who differ from each other.

PURPOSEFUL ACTIVITY


Children have a deep love and need for purposeful work. When they are "playing" they are indeed "working" to learn all about the world around them.


SELF-DISCIPLINE


Children gradually develop self-discipline through work on their environment, an environment which allows freedom of movement and freedom of choice. This includes carefully graded material designed to stimulate the child to the necessary work activity, bringing about ever increasing powers of concentration and satisfaction.

INDEPENDENCE

The Role of the teacher

The role of the teacher is different from that of the traditional teacher. She first observes and then directs the child's activities so that he learns for himself as a direct consequence of his work. She is the dynamic link between the child and the environment.

FLEXIBILITY

The Montessori system has been used successfully for children ranging from 2 1/2 to 18 years of age, from all social and economic backgrounds.  It’s great advantage is its appeal to children with special education and physical needs. There are Montessori nurseries and schools all over the world. The Montessori equipment has also been used with great success with elderly people and rehabilitation of Alzheimer patients. (Source: Bea Hook - The Montessori Foundation, Google = Montessori and Alzheimer.