Montessori Philosophy

Many times I am asked to describe, simply, what Montessori is and what makes a Montessori school different from other schools.  It is a simple question, but not so simple an answer.

To begin, Dr. Maria Montessori was the first woman physician in Italy, and as a physician she approached education from a scientific approach.  She observed children and developed a pedagogy based on her observations.  One of the greatest contributions Dr. Montessori made to the educational world is  her discovery that children do not come to us as mini adults or as 'blank slates', but rather their minds are like sponges that absorb, without filters, everything in their environment.  By the time they are three years of age, they have absorbs and incorporated not only a native language, but a native culture!

It is for this reason that authentic Montessori environments are filled with natural light, lovely child-sized furnishings, rich learning materials, and a well educated staff.  We do not set up typical 'learning centers' with activities to re-enforce what the teacher says.  Rather out classrooms are very orderly and filled with self-correcting materials that the child uses to 'construct' his mind.  The adult carefully observes the child and presents new materials on an individual basis as the child is ready or shows an interest.  There is no lock-step learning here--each child is an individual progresses individually.

“Mentally, the children have an immense power and are capable of great effort and concentration.  Their intellectual curiosity is limitless.  This curiosity is not the same as that o f the adult’s.  A scientist, for example, seeks to find something new.  The children’s purpose is the formation of their own minds.  They take in new information in order to re-form it and bring it into existing relation ship with what is already there.  Recent research substantiates this conclusion of Montessori.  The frontal cortex of the brain is not a storage place but is in constant formation and re-formation, in interaction not only with the outer environment, but within the brain’s own interior pathways.”

                                              From Montessori Today by Paula Polk Lillard

We are so grateful to have the opportunity to observe the daily miracles these children reveal as they interact with the environment, each other and us!  

Have you ever observed a Montessori classroom?  What were your impressions?  How did you feel about it?  We would love your feedback.

Starting Again

It is sad, but true; I forgot about my blog!  Not quite sure how that happens, but in all the busyness of school, and children, and church, and life, I suddenly realized that I had sorely neglected this blog!   A few of you have hung in there and still check it occasionally--thank you.

For a small recap since the last blog post:  We had a very good second year of school, starting with 12 students.  We moved to a new location on Brown's Bridge Road in January of 2012.  The Board, parents, and students came together and we dedicated the building to God on February 4, 2012.

We finished the school year in May and prepared for the opening of the Primary class in August 2012.  For a variety of reasons, we did not have an elementary class this past year.  Many of our students aged out, some decided to homeschool and several moved out of the area.  

When I reviewed my calendar from last spring, I am amazed at what the Lord was able to accomplish through my meager efforts!  We completed the paperwork and are now a 501 c 3 non profit organization, which means we can accept donations!  We got the new Primary classroom all set up, I prepared for my three weeks of teaching in China last summer, we completed the paperwork to sponsor Miss Michelle for her H1B visa, AND my daughter has a little wedding!  It was quite a few months, but He saw us through it all!  

Our Primary class has been outstanding and such a blessing.  Miss Michelle is our lead teacher and Mr. James is completing his Montessori internship as her assistant.  We have 10 students, all of whom are new to Montessori but doing exceptionally well.  One big change has been the addition of hot meals to our program.  The new building has a full kitchen and currently I am the head cook!


As we begin enrolling students for the fall classes, we are thankful that almost all of our current students want to return, and we are getting several inquiries from possible new students.  It is our earnest prayer that next fall we will have both classrooms full of precious children eager to learn.  

This ministry reminds us daily of our dependance upon our Heavenly Father, but we would not have it any other way.  As the old song goes, "Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand, but I know Who holds the future, and I know He holds my hand."  We are eager to invite many new children to this amazing little place He  has provided and watch them bloom.  I will try to do a better job of updating this post so you can celebrate the fun stuff and pray us through the uncertainties.  Thank you for journeying with us!