The child is in the critical process of self-construction. Montessori educators study the path of development from childhood to adulthood, and all the phases that the child passes through, to understand how we can help, and not hinder, the work of the child. We aim to understand and help the child’s natural innate development. Dr. Maria Montessori considered a general outline of the child’s development from birth to maturity. This is generally divided into three main periods or “Planes of Development”: birth – 6 years, 6 – 11 years, and 12 – 18 years.
Developed by Dr. Montessori, the Montessori Method of education is a child-centered educational approach based on scientific observations of children from birth to adulthood. With over 100 years of success in diverse cultures all over the world, Dr. Montessori’s Method has been time tested.
The Montessori philosophy is a view of the child as one who is capable of initiating learning in a supportive, thoughtfully prepared learning environment. To its most basic concept – children are naturally eager for knowledge. The Montessori approach values the development of the whole child as well as the human spirit.
The first period is our focus at Meadows Montessori. It is one of extremely rapid growth and great change and development. Observation and experience show that children in this period are happy in the peace and security of a Montessori environment, exploring the world through their visual and tactile senses. They have great energy and enthusiasm and a tremendous yearning for information. Children enjoy learning because they are fresh to the world; everything is interesting to them!