Why Parents should choose Montessori philosophy?
According to Dr. Maria Montessori, every child is born with an innate potential, which she called “sensitive periods and absorbent mind.” The Montessori method emphasizes respecting each child’s individuality, fostering independence, and providing freedom within a disciplined environment. Additionally, this method highly regards the natural psychological development of children, as well as equipping them with practical knowledge.
Therefore, every Montessori child at Happy Adventure Preschool – International Montessori is unique but all have a solid foundation to become successful and happy global citizens.
Montessori Learning Environment
Different from a traditional classroom, a Montessori classroom is specifically designed to ensure the following four characteristics: (1) learning through sensory experiences, (2) respecting individual differences, (3) emphasizing children’s independence and mixed-age classrooms, and (4) each classroom is a carefully prepared environment.
- Sensory Experience: Children learn through experiencing their senses, helping them to grasp abstract concepts, language development, and cognitive skills.
- Respect for Individuality: The method accepts the uniqueness and individuality of each child, allowing them to develop at their own pace and time. Children are free to choose activities they are interested in within certain limits and work at their own pace, while teachers act as guides, observing on a one-to-one basis.
- Mixed-age Grouping: Montessori classrooms mimic a “natural” society with an age gap between children. Children share experiences and learn from each other. Younger children are inspired by older ones’ advanced work, while older children reinforce their knowledge by teaching younger ones.
- Prepared Environment: Dr. Maria Montessori developed a “prepared environment” with materials designed for children’s development. The materials are arranged sequentially and orderly to meet the needs of children at each stage and provide means for children to practice independence, responsibility, and ownership.
5 Key Learning Areas
With the 5 key learning areas in the standard Montessori curriculum at Happy Adventure Preschool, children naturally receive knowledge, find it interesting, and promote holistic development and maximize intellectual, cognitive-emotional, and skill development.
- Practical Life: Cultivating independence and creativity through practical activities in the classroom.
- Sensorial: Encouraging flexible use of the 5 senses to recognize, compare, or classify objects.
- Mathematics: Learning mathematical concepts through hands-on activities with materials unique to Montessori education.
- Language: Developing language skills by first acquainting with spoken language, followed by writing and reading.
- Cultural: Direct exposure to tangible objects and vivid models related to history, geography, science, fostering enthusiasm for learning and curiosity about the environment and culture.
Through the Montessori method at Happy Adventure Preschool, children not only learn knowledge but also develop comprehensively in terms of mental, social, and cognitive aspects.
