The Montessori approach

The Montessori approach was created by Dr. Maria Montessori as a valuable tool to help children develop as well-rounded individuals. Its success is due to its focus on the important developmental phases children go through as they mature.

Based on her observations and research, dr. Montessori discovered that we go through 4 distinct phases on our way to maturity. Otherwise known as planes of development these phases are not tied only to the physical development of a child, but to their mental and social growth on their way to becoming well-rounded adults.

Each phase is a stepping stone to the next one; all contributing to the growth of a mature adult. Every phase has its own characteristics and children will display different behavioral patterns during each one. Not only are there changes in the child’s ability to adapt to and observe his environment, they will also behave differently in social settings: for example how they relate to their classmates or how they display affection to their loved ones. Not only this, the environments the children are in will be different depending on the particular phase/plan.

• First plane: self-construction (children between 0 to 6 years of age)
• Second plane: social belonging / social identity (children between 6 and 12 years of age)
• Third plane: adulthood  (young adults between 12 and 18 years of age)
• Fourth plane: maturity.” (adults from 18 to 24 years of age)

You will see children in the first two planes in our school.

A miniature community

We do our utmost to encourage each child in developing their own individual talents and traits in our miniature community, where each student is responsible not only for themselves but for the community as a whole. Our specially designed and prepared environments (set up according to proven scientific principles) offers ample opportunity for the students to be themselves and work and develop at their own pace. Their inner passion for learning is given full room to grow and they are inspired to complete their work (whether by specific processes or spontaneous ideas) under the watchful eye of a fully trained guide.

Guidance

All students are under the guidance of fully trained and accredited professionals, who are always available to answer questions and offer assistance. The guides observe the students as they go about their day, and keep an eye out for children who are ready for the next step of their given work. At all times, care is taken to present work that is both tailored to the student’s current abilities and stimulate the further growth of their talents. The core belief is that the guides are present not just to teach the children, but to present the proper educational opportunities and materials at the proper moments to ensure that the student has control of his or her own learning process.

Core Concepts of the Montessori educational method

The core concepts and guidelines of the Montessori educational method are:

• A focus on the individual. Children work at their own pace and level of ability.
• The urge to learn comes from the child. The child chooses his or her own work.
• Children are placed in an environment specially tailored to make them feel at home – a place that stimulates them to develop and experiment to their heart’s content.
• Children are placed in mixed age classrooms (such as the 3 – 6 year olds). It has been observed that groups of children with varying ages display greater social dynamics and challenges, as well as heightened mental and physical stimulation and development. This is due to the way children interact with others of the same and differing ages, actively encouraging each other to achieve goals and lessons. Such groups are also excellent sources of group learning, as the children learn with and from each other, regardless of age.
• Since children go through varying stages of mental and physical development at different ages, they are separated into the following groups: Children's House students (3-6 years of age), Elementary (6-9 years of age) and Upper-elementary (9-12 years of age).

More detailed information can be found in Casa’s Pedagogical Policy and Guidelines

Please see the following articles for more information.