The Montessori Method
What is Montessori?
The Montessori method of education was developed by Maria Montessori based on the scientific observation of children who attended Montessori’s first Classroom for 3- to 6-year-old children.
Maria Montessori observed that children have an inborn need to learn by exploring, doing and touching. She then developed materials which enable children to independently use their natural curiosity to learn through their senses.
In the Montessori classroom, a large variety of specifically designed materials are laid out on low shelving, and in perfect working order. These attractive materials temp the child to independently select something that interests him. The child will work with the activity for as long as he is interested and then return it to its place on the shelf. This is called the ‘cycle of activity’.
Maria Montessori called play, the ‘WORK of the child’ recognising the vast importance of purposeful activities in the development of children.
Children will always look for something of interest to touch and work on.