Montessori Principles
The Absorbent Mind
Maria Montessori discovered that the mind of the child up to the age of seven is absorbent in nature. Everything in the child's environment and experience is assimilated into the personality and character of the child. Because of this principle, the Montessori-trained teacher is diligent to provide a carefully prepared environment that is filled with interesting and inviting activities that teach through hands-on constructive experiences. These activities are also beautiful and pleasing for young children to see and touch. Everything is scaled to their size, complete and fully functional, and provides ample opportunities for movement. The children learn to be caretakers of their environment and are comforted by its order and beauty. The adult and the environment together provide dynamic models; the child absorbs, mimics and develops toward fulfillment of his or her inner own potential.
Sensitive Periods
Between the ages of three and six, children are in the developmental sensitive period for order, grace and courtesy (good manners), sensorial refinement, and language development of increased vocabulary, writing and reading. At this time the child learns effortlessly and joyously. After about age six, the absorbent mind begins to diminish as the capacity for rational and abstract thinking emerges. Understanding the importance of these sensitive periods, Montessori teachers endeavor to provide each individual child what is needed and when it is needed.
Freedom in Education
Freedom in the Montessori environment means freedom to do the right thing. During the course of the school year, the children and the Montessori-trained teacher work together to build a miniature but very real community. The children learn to work within a framework of a few carefully chosen, clearly communicated, and strictly enforced ground rules. Beyond that, they are free to find work to do among many interesting choices, either alone or together with a friend or a small group. Fruits of this freedom include individuality, self-discipline, independence, concentration, obedience, and positive social interactions.