Montessori Academy

Philosophy

The Montessori community world-wide is celebrating 2007 as the 100th anniversary of Montessori education. Davidson County named February, 2007 as the month of Montessori education. Montessori Academy was well represented at the annual conference in New York City to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Montessori education.

Dr. Angelina Stoll Lillard, the daughter of Paula Polk Lillard, confesses that 20 years ago, while taking Montessori teacher training, she became a skeptic. She was frustrated at not being able to separate scientifically supported ideas from mere opinion. Her desire for a Montessori background for her children and being a well-known researcher in the area of cognitive-developmental psychology, led her to thoroughly research the Montessori method of education and writing Montessori, The Science Behind The Genius (2005). Montessorians world-wide are delighted with this very readable book detailing research that validates the merits of the Montessori Method.

Dr. Montessori's medical background, her understanding of the scientific method, her lifetime focus on how children learn resulted in a revolutionary education philosophy that is used throughout the world. She organized her keen insights of the child as a being and as a learner into the following planes or stages of development.

Key Concepts Promoted by the American Montessori Society

The aim of Montessori education is to foster competent, responsible, adaptive citizens who are lifelong learners and problem solvers.
Learning occurs in an inquiring, cooperative, nurturing atmosphere.
Students increase their own knowledge through self- and teacher-initiated experiences.
Learning takes place through the senses.
Students learn by manipulating materials and interacting with others. These meaningful experiences are precursors to the abstract understanding of ideas.
The individual is considered as a whole. The physical, emotional, social, aesthetic, spiritual, and cognitive needs and interests are inseparable and equally important.
Respect and caring attitudes for oneself, others, the environment, and all life are necessary.

The "Sensitive Period" and the "Absorbent Mind"

Paula Polk Lillard describes Dr. Montessori's belief in a young child's "sensitive period" and "absorbent mind" in "Montessori: A Modern Approach." Here she states that the young child has:

a need for order
a desire to do an activity "just right"
an intense concentration on repetition
an experience of joy as he makes contact with his world

At Montessori Academy, we endeavor to take advantage of the "sensitive period" in a young child's life. Each of our Primary classrooms contains an extensive array of Montessori materials which are meticulously arranged and worked in sequential order. As students proceed through the experience of practicing and mastering each exercise, they are building the perfect foundation for the Montessori Academy Treasure Chest of Life Skills which is being introduced and utilized throughout our Elementary School.

Read some testimonials on the positive, life-long effects of the Montessori experience from the "Founders of Google?" and other celebrities.