Welcome to the Montessori Class Page
The Montessori Method
A truly educated person continues learning long after the hours and years spent in the classroom because of the motivation that comes from within-a natural curiosity, a thirst, and a love for knowledge. Therefore, Dr. Montessori felt that the goal of early childhood education should not be to fill the child with facts from a pre-selected course of study, but rather to cultivate the child's own natural desire to learn.
In the Montessori classroom, this objective is approached in two ways: first, allowing each child to experience the excitement of learning by choice rather than being forced: and second, helping to perfect all of the child's own natural tools for learning, so that ability will be at maximum for learning situations. The Montessori materials also have this duel long range purpose in addition to their immediate purpose of giving specific information to the child. Although a great deal of academic growth takes place in the preschool child in a Montessori program, our central focus is on the psychological growth of the child. Academic development is an additional result of the approach.
At Notre Dame, we have a three year program for children between the ages of three and six years. Dr. Montessori recognized that all children have a unique aptitude for learning which peaks during this age range. She called this special sensitivity the "Absorbent Mind." Over seventy years of experience has proved her theory that young children can learn almost anything placed in their environment. They can learn to read, write, calculate, and become fluent in the arts in the same natural way that they learn to walk and talk if they are properly stimulated and developmentally ready during this receptive time. The additional time in school not only allows for a broader exposure to the materials, but also provides an arena for social development with peers that is so critical for this age group.