Montessori is a scientific approach to early childhood education that was developed by Doctor Maria Montessori (1870-1952), a Physician, Anthropologist, and Pedagogue, more than 100 years ago. The Montessori Method is based on her belief in the creative potential of children, their drive to learn, and the right of each child to be treated as an individual.

The Montessori Method offers a broad view of education as an aid and a preparation for life. Education is personalized to each child’s learning style, stage of development, and interests. Children develop complete academic and well-being foundations through hands-on experience, real-world application, and problem-solving.

The Montessori approach to early childhood education is diversely different from play-based childcare services. Education Programs are child-led and self-paced, while guided, assessed, and enriched by knowledgeable Montessori-trained educators. In Montessori Education, the prepared environment, the educator, and the child come together to form the curriculum.

Key differences include:

• Prepared Environment

• Montessori Materials

• Montessori Curriculum

• Montessori Teaching

• Montessori Principles and Practices

• Montessori Work Cycle

• Child-centered Learning

Montessori materials are ingenious hands-on learning tools that are designed to stimulate children’s minds, encourage exploration, and inspire independent learning. They are enticing, simple to use, and intentionally support children’s learning and development. Together, the Montessori materials come together to form the Montessori Curriculum. Montessori materials teach one skill at a time to provide children with the opportunity to master key learning outcomes through repetition and practice. Doctor Montessori stated: “Nothing goes into the mind that does not first go through the hands.”

The Montessori Curriculum is a child-centred learning framework that incorporates the cognitive, physical, social and emotional aspects of child development. There are five key areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics and Cultural Studies. Each curriculum area includes a sequence of Montessori materials that each teach one learning outcome. As children progress through the curriculum they develop a complete understanding of each subject area.