What is Montessori
The first Montessori school was set up by Maria Montessori in 1907. Montessori has now become the world's largest education movement. There are 22,000 schools worldwide and approximately 500 Montessori Schools in Ireland (INTO,2006). Fundamental to the approach is the belief that a child's early years from birth to six are when they have the greatest capacity to learn.
How does it differ from traditional play groups?
Montessori schools allow children to discover things individually using all five senses and not just through listening, watching and reading. We believe that they shouldn't be pressurised at a young age and learning at their own pace is much more effective for their future education.
Montessori classrooms have specialised pieces of equipment, which were created by Maria Montessori. These are designed specifically to provide concrete representations of abstract concepts. For example, mathematical concepts are established using number rods, golden beads and spindle boxes, all designed to be interesting, fun and self-correcting, so the child can immediately see if they make a mistake
Montessori Education is an exciting process of self-discovery leading to confidence, independence, self-discipline and a hunger to learn because they are learning through themselves.
Montessori schools allow children to discover things individually using all five senses and not just through listening, watching and reading. We believe that they shouldn't be pressurised at a young age and learning at their own pace is much more effective for their future education.
Montessori classrooms have specialised pieces of equipment, which were created by Maria Montessori. These are designed specifically to provide concrete representations of abstract concepts. For example, mathematical concepts are established using number rods, golden beads and spindle boxes, all designed to be interesting, fun and self-correcting, so the child can immediately see if they make a mistake
Montessori Education is an exciting process of self-discovery leading to confidence, independence, self-discipline and a hunger to learn because they are learning through themselves.