Cornerstone Montessori Children's House

Montessori Approach

Dr Montessori believed that children have an innate positive attitude towards learning. She once said, "I don't need to teach anything to children: it is they who, placed in a favorable environment, teach me." In a Montessori classroom there is a special atmosphere of cheerful orderliness, calmness and purposeful work. The Montessori approach is child-centered, but adult guided. It is structured, but free for learning and emphasizes basics in an enjoyable way. Mutual respect between adult and child is paramount. The Montessori method aims to develop each child’s:

- concentration
- co-ordination
- persistence in completing a task
- self discipline
- sense of order
- desire to learn
- independence
- initiative
- creative self expression

The Montessori environment provides the young child with specifically designed activities and materials appropriate for growth and development. Dr. Montessori discovered that children of this age have an especially keen sensitivity to many areas of learning and development. These “sensitive periods”, as she called them, start to fade just as many educational programs are preparing to start their work with the child.