MONTESSORI EDUCATION
OVERVIEW
Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian scientist, developed the Montessori Method over 100 years ago after discovering that every child’s mind is a sponge, and the right education style can foster their innate desire to learn. Montessori education is child-centered, which allows the teacher to guide children to reach their full potential. The Montessori classroom is a carefully prepared environment that contains specifically designed material to lead children from learning a concept concretely to acquiring an abstract understanding. The Montessori teacher guides the child to make discoveries, cultivates their intrinsic desire to learn, and nurtures their social and emotional development. The Lower School program at Country Day World School stays true to the pedagogy developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, while incorporating best practices including STEM education, Orton-Gillingham instruction, social-emotional learning through the Four Pillars of Wellbeing, and enrichment experiences in World Languages and the Arts.
Infant & Toddler Montessori
Children learn more during the period from birth to 3 years old than any other stage of development. The Montessori infant environment is safe, nurturing, loving and will follow the needs of every child as they naturally explore the world around them. The infant and toddler Montessori classroom fosters the child’s growing desire for independence and exploration. The foundational curriculum at this age has learning objectives that include psycho-sensory motor development, language discovery, problem solving, concentration and visual discrimination.
Primary Montessori
The Primary Montessori Division’s goal is to provide a developmentally appropriate, prepared environment for each child. The classrooms are intended to be intellectually inviting to the young learner with materials and design that appeal to their curiosity. The three-year curriculum for children ages 3-6 includes an environment with scientifically developed materials to teach language, mathematics, sensorial, practical life, science, geography, cultural studies, art, music, world languages, and a social environment of respect. Every child’s unique personality and skills are honored as they take their own individualized learning path through the carefully prepared Montessori environment while guided, observed, and inspired by their teachers.
Lower Elementary Montessori
Our Lower Elementary Montessori program offers children in grades first through third a diverse, multisensory, and multiage experience in learning and development. Our multi-age, child-centered classroom fosters social and emotional growth and creates opportunities for leadership and mentorship. With the use of traditional Montessori materials, children gain a deeper understanding of concrete concepts and gradually connect those to abstract ideas. Children fall in love with the process of work, using multiple avenues to learn and understand each concept fully. Our classroom encourages collaborative learning, problem solving, and social and emotional learning alongside the traditional Montessori curriculum.