The Montessori approach in the preschool years is based on the fact that children under six have the extraordinary ability to absorb knowledge from their surroundings and are driven to do so. Dr. Maria Montessori called this the “absorbent mind”; more capable now of learning certain skills than it ever will be again. Montessori’s vision for education was that children would choose activities from an environment that was prepared to inspire movement and provide multi-sensory learning. The role of the Montessori teacher is to prepare and organize the environment to meet the needs and interests of the children, then to introduce each child to interesting activities which he or she can chose to work with again and again. The children learn from their direct experiences and interactions. Activities promote social skills, emotional growth, and physical co-ordination as well as cognitive development. The curriculum, under the direction of specially prepared teacher, allows the child to experience the joy of learning and the time to enjoy the process. Montessori education ensures the development of self-esteem, and provides the experiences from which children create their knowledge. Children go beyond learning skills to cultivating their abilities to express themselves and think clearly. In a multi-age setting, they learn both from each other and because of each other through helping and peer-teaching. Classroom activities build a community where the children are treated with respect and dignity.
The primary goal of our Montessori early childhood program is to help each child reach full potential in all areas of life. With successful experiences, a child increases in self-confidence and independence. Skills are developed naturally as the child’s desire to learn leads him to repeat activities. In addition, the patterns of concentration, persistence and thoroughness established in early childhood produce a confident and competent learner in later years.
One of Dr. Montessori’s primary insights was that young children are engaged in a supremely creative act — that of creating the men and women they are to become! Compare The Montessori School of Cambridge with publicly-funded education.
2-1/2 years to 6 years – 5 days/week – half days or full days
Program offerings: 8:30 to 11:30 am or 1 to 3:30 pm or 8:30 am to 4 pm or 7:30 am to 5:30 pm