Montessori-based learning refers to the use and creation of the hands, which instruct the intelligence. Through their work, the children develop a general foundation that includes a positive attitude, inner security and a sense of order, pride in the physical environment, abiding curiosity, a habit of concentration, joyful self-discipline, habits of initiative and persistence, the ability to make decisions, and a sense of responsibility to the group.
Prepared Environment
Children of this age possess what Dr. Montessori called the Absorbent Mind. This type of mind has the unique and transitory ability to absorb knowledge without effort or fatigue. The children progress at their own pace and rhythm, according to their individual capabilities. As an aid to the child’s self-construction, individual work is encouraged. The design of the environment is based on the principles of simplicity, reality, beauty, and order, a prepared environment where children are free to respond to their natural tendency to work. The children’s innate passion for learning is encouraged by giving them opportunities to engage in spontaneous, purposeful activities with the guidance of a trained Directress. The following areas of activity cultivate the children’s ability to express themselves and think with clarity: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math, and Cultural Extensions. The children are encouraged to think for themselves, to solve problems on their own and with others, and to have confidence in their ability to find solutions.
Childhood and On
In her observations, Dr. Montessori saw that children experience “windows of opportunity” as they grow. Montessori teachers match appropriate lessons and materials to these sensitive periods as their students develop – when learning is most naturally internalized and absorbed.
Montessori students in their early childhoods learn through sensory-motor activities – developing their cognitive powers through direct experience: movement, touching, seeing, hearing, and tasting. As the children progress through the elementary years, they continue to organize their thinking through work with the Montessori learning materials. They then use the interdisciplinary curriculum as they pass from the concrete to the abstract. It is at this time that they begin to apply their knowledge to real-world experiences.
This organization of information prepares the child for the next world – adolescence. This is when thought and emotion evolve into understanding more universal concepts such as freedom, equity, and justice.
Meadows Montessori is Frederick County’s best Montessori School offering the best in curriculum, environment and instructors. It’s been amazing to watch our daughter thrive in the environment.
Your staff is incredible. Every teacher has been so kind, accommodating, understanding and hardworking. They have all gone above and beyond our expectations to see to it that [our son] is thriving and growing in new and wonderful ways. We cannot express our gratitude enough.
[My daughter] has started giving me lessons and instructions when we are at home, and she says, “I believe in you, Mommy.” I know she can only use these phrases because someone has been regularly saying them to her; building her self-esteem through positive messages.
Kim and TJ focus on making this school an extension of the family, always open and available to listen. Most importantly, the kids feel valued and special by their teachers, and vice versa. We appreciate all the hard work it takes to make this school so special.
The teachers emphasize core values like respect, patience, and independence through their nurturing, kind, and calm examples. They genuinely appreciate the children and believe in what they do.
From the start, we were impressed with the discipline, patience and caring atmosphere with which each and every child is given and taught. Meadows Montessori is by far an educationally superior school with highly experienced and dedicated teachers and exceeds that of other childhood programs in the area.
From an educational perspective, we are constantly amazed at the skills and knowledge she acquires from Meadows. We are often stopped in public and asked where she attends school and when we tell them, they say, “Oh, we knew it had to be Montessori!
I want all of you to know how much we love the Meadows family and we couldn’t think of a better environment for [our daughter]
This is one of those rare places where all seems to work just right all the time. The level of involvement and professionalism the school displays is not only reassuring but truly inspirational. One can feel the overwhelming sense of care and love…
I can not begin to thank them enough for the positive influence they have been in my son’s life.
Meadows Montessori Center
185 Thomas Johnson Drive
Frederick, MD 21702
301.662.8910
Info@MeadowsCenter.com