In the 1890’s a children’s physician Dr. Maria Montessori began to develop a revolutionary new philosophy of education.  Dr. Montessori believed that all children are naturally curious and love to learn, a radical idea for her time.  She believed that when a child is provided with a stimulating environment and gentle guidance from a teacher he or she can grow to the full heights of their incredible potential.  She tested out her theories on a group of Italian street children.  In the orphanage she ran she noticed that even the poorest  children or those considered disabled had a natural desire to grow and learn when provided with a stimulating environment.  Maria used her observations to develop  the Montessori Method, which has since grown into one of the most popular teaching systems in the world. Teaching with the Montessori method means accepting the idea that each child is unique and learns at a different pace from his or her peers. Therefore each child is presented with an individual lesson when he or she is ready for it, not when his or her classmates are ready.  Additionally a teacher might tailor the lesson to suit the child’s individual learning style. This allows the Montessori classroom to accommodate all, even the most gifted of children.  In this manner, all Montessori students learn more quickly and easily than children in traditional schools.

Prepared Environment

Montessori students work in a prepared environment that has been fitted with the materials and lessons necessary to facilitate learning in a young mind. Students in a traditional Montessori classroom have access to age appropriate life tools, math, art, language, reading, history and science materials and of course, a teacher. Children in a Montessori classroom are allowed to study this material in whatever order or for however long they like.  As they explore the materials they are gently guided by the teacher to reach new heights of learning and understanding.  This open environment allows a child’s mind to grow freely and without restraint as they study and learn without becoming bored or stressed by difficult or overbearing instruction.

Brainy Academy Montessori Program

In a Montessori classroom students are initially introduced to their learning materials through an individual lesson presented by the teacher. At Brainy Academy these lessons focus on math, reading and all lessons incorporate elements of logic.  Our task is not to simply teach children reading, writing and mathematics but to teach them to think logically and clearly.  The lesson is repeated to each student individually for as long as necessary. Lessons are tailored for each student in order to reflect the child’s interests and learning abilities.  The children then practice the skill they have learned using the Montessori materials in the classroom. This teaching method allows a student to develop a deeper and more thorough understanding of all subject matter presented to them.

Lesson Layout

In a Montessori classroom students are assigned into mixed age groups of 1-3, 3-6, 6-9 or 9-12.  The most common of these age groups is 3-6 because children are most impressionable at this age and learning through the Montessori Method can greatly influence their ability and love of learning. A common classroom set up hosts one teacher and one assistant with thirty or fewer children.  At Brainy Academy we keep our classrooms to a maximum of 12 children.

Effectiveness

With the Montessori method children are taught to use their own natural talents and each child can progress at his or her own pace.  Gifted children are particularly suited to the Montessori classroom since they can go as quickly as their individual learning capacity will allow them to.  Studies have shown that  students who study at a Montessori school, especially during the first learning periods of their lives ( birth to 6), develop stronger math, reading and science skills, more self-esteem, creativity and most of all, a love of learning that will stay with them for the rest of their lives!