Montessori brings together the child, the trained guide, a carefully prepared environment and purposeful materials to support development at each stage.
The Montessori environment is carefully organised for the developmental needs of each age group. Materials and activities are accessible to children, allowing them to move through the environment, make purposeful choices and increasingly work independently.
Montessori guides observe each child carefully and introduce work through individual or small-group presentations. Rather than directing every step, the guide supports the child and knows when to step back so that independent learning can take place.
Specially designed Montessori materials help children explore concepts through real experience. Children see, touch, move, compare, arrange, practise and discover before increasingly progressing towards more abstract understanding.
Movement is an important part of Montessori education. Children are given opportunities to move purposefully through their environment and take part in activities that support coordination, control of movement, practical ability and growing independence.
After work has been presented by the guide, children are given opportunities to practise and apply what they have learnt. Through repetition, responsibility and purposeful activity, they gradually become more capable of working independently.
Children do not all develop in the same way or at the same time. Montessori guides observe each child and respond to their individual readiness, needs and stage of development while working within the programme appropriate to their age group.
Montessori environments bring together children within developmental age groupings. This gives younger children opportunities to observe those who are further along, while older children strengthen their confidence, responsibility and understanding within the community.
At the same time, each child continues to work at a level suited to their own development.
