Help me to do it myself and Education for Life are the basic foundations of the Montessori classroom.
The classroom is a vibrant and exciting place. One where the joy and passion of children who have a variety of skills and knowledge can interact and strengthen each other, and where experimentation of concepts, ideas and relationships can be explored in a community where they feel safe and respected. Experience has shown children aim to be the best they can when their ideas and thoughts are acknowledged and they have some control over processes and procedures that affect them.
Involving
the children in all projects of the school, results not only in their taking ownership
of the activity but also stimulates their interest in the projects objectives
and desire to care for it in the future.
Classroom
activities are based on learning one new skill or concept at a time, with many concepts
developed through concrete materials.
Education is based on consequential action. We do not give rewards or punishments for actions. We enjoy each child’s achievements and acknowledge them by utilising their skills to help others.
The measuring stick for improvement
is not other people but their own previous work. Behaviour is managed by
encouraging respect for others and respecting them in return and assisting
children to develop social and physical skills in a positive way, providing
them with appropriate words, modelling interactions and discussing situations,
as well as allowing for children’s emotional state.
When all these things come together, we have the privilege of watching children with not only a sense of care and community for their colleagues at preschool but who recognise their participation in a more global community and as a carers and guardians of the earth.