What and Why Montessori?

     Montessori is both an educational method and a way of life. It is based around allowing children to achieve their innate desire for independence.

     From an educational aspect, we know that children learn and explore their environment through the use of their hands. All Montessori materials allow for movement and incorporate hands on materials that are child sized, beautiful, and appropriate for children. 

     By incorporating Montessori principles into your home, you will be setting up a home based around freedom within limits. What does this mean? Freedom within limits is the balance between giving children the freedom to learn or act by themselves, but within a controlled environment that you - the parent - have decided upon. By giving children the freedom to follow their interests in a structured environment that is set up for their success, you are helping them to develop independence and self-discipline.

Montessori also respects the social emotional development of each child. By setting proper freedoms and limits in an environment that is highly controlled without being stifling to the child, children are given appropriate boundaries that allow them to grow at a pace that is appropriate for them. This allows children to achieve independence at a rate that is appropriate for their age and maturity level.