DEVELOPING THEIR POTENTIALS
Maria Montessori, the Genius
As the first female doctor to graduate in Italy, psychiatrist and anthropologist, Maria Montessori (1870-1952) devoted her whole life to understanding the child to better serve him. Her work brought enormous changes in the way to approach the child. She developed a science pedagogy based on a physical and human environment which enables the development of the child’s full potentials.
Montessori pedagogy is famous worldwide: there are over 20,000 Montessori schools around the world, with more than 4,500 in the US.
Recent findings in neuroscience have validated the pedagogical principles of this visionary woman.
Aid to life
Montessori pedagogy considers school as an "aid to life". An accompanying education of the child in keeping with his natural ways of development to enable the fulfillment of all his potentials.
What’s our mission? Bind the academic knowledge acquisition to building a fulfilling, autonomous and responsible person.
This pedagogy is a reference with its sensitive approach on child development and for its educational values:
- Reinforce self-esteem
- Foster autonomy and make the child accountable
- Promote the adaptation capacity and creativity
- Sowing the desire to learn in the child.
From 0 to 6 years old : a foundation period
« The most important period of life is the period from birth to the age of six, not the age of the university studies. For that reason, it is the time when human intelligence itself, his greatest implement, is being formed. But not only his intelligence; the full totality of his psychic powers. » Maria Montessori.
From 0 to 6 years old the child has an "absorbing mind”: at this stage as a sponge, his mind absorbs naturally and effortlessly from its environment.
It is also the moment of "Sensitive periods": for sensory perceptions, language, coordination of movements, small objects, order, social development. The child exhibits an intense fascination for these elements and if he is not refrained in his curiosity he acquires contentment effortlessly and accurately.
Montessori pedagogy fosters child learning and development providing an appropriate environment in line with his sensitive developmental periods and with his individualized progression.
