Core Principles of a Montessori Education
The Core Principles of a Montessori Education has the purpose and result of children coming away with an inherent love of learning that they carry with them throughout their lives. Children are naturally hungry for learning and exploration and the Montessori classroom provides the environment where this love of learning thrives.
Trained Montessori Teachers: A trained Montessori teacher has the skills and expertise to implement the highly effective and proven Montessori educational method.
The Multi-Age Classroom: Classes with 3-year age spans facilitate mentorship among the students and encourage leadership development.
Montessori Materials: A hallmark of Montessori education is specially designed education materials that provide a hands-on, sensorial approach to learning.
Child-Directed Work: Children are given the opportunity to select their own work (a term used in Montessori for practicing the academic and life lessons learned in the classroom), leading to intrinsic motivation and sustained attention.
Uninterrupted Work Periods: An extended period of focus on work selected by children enables them to work at their own pace and without interruption.
Georgetown Montessori’s Principles include: a deep respect for all life and for childhood particularly, a quest to make the world a better place through the thoughtful development of each generation, sense of responsibility for the earth and all who inhabit it, and a commitment to community through engagement, deep listening and sharing.
At Georgetown Montessori School, we believe that upholding these ideals requires a diversity of cultures, customs, beliefs and thought. This increases our understanding and acceptance of others. It supports an environment where children are more compassionate learners who embrace Maria Montessori’s “education of peace” where each generation brings a renewed hope for a more peaceful world. “An education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking; it involves the spiritual development of humans, the enhancement of their value as an individual, and the preparation of young people to understand the times in which they live.” — Maria Montessori, Education and Peace.
Maria Montessori believed that young children should study the similarities and differences between communities around the globe, to build an early and growing awareness of our diverse, interconnected world. Like Maria Montessori, we value, celebrate, and respect individuals of all races, ethnicities, genders, ages, abilities and religions.
“The needs of mankind are universal. Our means of meeting them create the richness and diversity of the planet. The Montessori child should come to relish the texture of that diversity.” — Maria Montessori