Dr. Maria Montessori based her educational methods on the scientific  observation of  children.                                                                                  

 Guided by her discovery that children teach themselves, Dr. Montessori designed a "prepared environment" in which children could freely choose from a number of developmentally appropriate activities.

Montessori emphasizes learning through all five senses, not just through listening, watching, or reading.

Children in Montessori classes learn at their own, individual pace and according to their own choice of activities from hundreds of possibilities.

Learning is an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning.

The Montessori teacher must learn the role of guide, a passive leader who prepares works for the child that are self correcting, and self motivating such that the child is drawn to work for the sake of the operation itself.

He or she needs no outside reward for this, his satisfaction is in the work well done!

As the children in a Montessori class get involved in their environment they reach a stage referred to as Normalization. At this stage they are able to concentrate on their work, and work within the environment so that others equally concentrating are not disturbed. This creates the calm yet busy atmosphere in a Montessori Class.

The four basic learning areas in a Montessori class are Practical Life, Sensorial, Mathematics, and Language. The sequence of materials is carefully designed to develop the child's fine and gross muscular coordination and the ability to concentrate, make judgments and comparisons, all of which prepare the child for reading.

The Montessori child builds a solid foundation for academic success by developing attention span, fine & gross motor skills, independence, responsibility, self-confidence, and the love of learning!