Montessori
The Montessori Method has its origins in Italy in the early 1900s. Dr. Maria Montessori, Italy’s first female medical doctor, designed a collection of pedagogical tools representing qualities such as color, texture, gradation, and length in concrete form, and made these available to a group of children in an environment in which they were free to direct their own activities. Observing these children, she discovered their natural desire for independence, intense care for the environment, and insatiable drive to learn.

These early discoveries evolved into a system of education that is still relevant for today’s children. Its key principle is to “follow the child”-looking to the child’s own interests and natural aspirations toward goodness as the point of departure for education. Children are seen as their own teachers, each working with eager eyes, ears and hands to direct his own unique journey of development.

The teacher’s task is to prepare a rich, beautiful and orderly environment - as children will internalize these qualities - and to be attentive to the development of each individual in her classroom, introducing new concepts to individual children as they show readiness. Other Montessori practices include mixing age groups to encourage a family-like atmosphere, a “Practical Life” area in the classroom where children can care for themselves and their environment, and lessons in “Grace and Courtesy” from which children learn to treat others with compassion and respect. Montessori education continues to evolve in the present day, taking within itself current discoveries about brain development and new innovations in education. Through organizations such as the American Montessori Society, Montessori teachers have access to continuing inspiration from the global field of Montessori teaching. The teachers of Maria’s Garden are trained in the Montessori Method. This method serves as the basis of our program.