Montessori Guiding Principles
Guiding Principles
"Education is a natural process carried out by the child and is not acquired by listening to words but by experiences in the environment."
In keeping with recognised Montessori standards, Morning Star Montessori follows the Principles of the Montessori Method as outlined in the South African Montessori Association's AMI-Approved Curriculum.
Reproduced here with permission, these principles provide an authentic overview of the philosophy that underpins our approach to education. More than developing academic ability, Montessori education nurtures the whole child, fostering independence, responsibility, confidence and a lifelong love of learning.
Multi Age Classrooms
Classes in Montessori Schools are mixed-age and non-graded.
- Mixed-age classes comprise at least three-year groupings corresponding to the Planes of Development: 3 – 6; 6 – 9 and 9 – 12 or 6 – 12; 12 – 15 and 15 – 18 or 12 – 18.
- Mixed-age groups are not correlated to grades, nor are they divided in other ways according to achievement levels or normative standards.
The 0-3 sub-plane is divided as follows:
- Infant (Nido) groups: Approximately 3 months (or older) to when the child is walking well (about 12 – 18 months); and
- Toddler Communities: From when the child is walking well (about 12 – 18 months) to about 2½ or 3 years.
The Uninterrupted Work Cycle
Montessori schools accommodate an extended period of uninterrupted self-chosen activity – a period during which children can choose their own activity within a predetermined, appropriate range of activities and work undisturbed for a minimum of three hours.
No Rewards or Punishment
Rewards such as treats or stars and stickers and Punishments such as shaming or “naughty corner” are not used in a Montessori environment. Ample recognition for positive outcomes and redirection of negative outcomes are used to guide behaviour.
The Prepared Environment
A prepared environment is a critical component of Montessori Pedagogy. The prepared environment
- Serves the developmental and pedagogical needs of the children using it;
- Supports freedom of movement, speech and association;
- Supports free choice of activity;
- Facilitates normalization (3-6), adaptation (6-12) and valorisation (12 – 18);
- Includes a full range of Montessori materials appropriate to the age for which it is prepared.
The Montessori Guide
The adults in the Montessori environment exhibit and apply the principles of Montessori pedagogy through
- A disposition of respect and patience towards the child;
- An ability to balance the principle of non-intervention while at the same time not abandoning the child;
- Trust in Montessori principles, methodology and pedagogical aims;
- Seeing the role of the adult as primarily observer, scientist and interpreter of the environment rather than as a teacher in the conventional sense;
- Guiding the child to normalization and development appropriate to each Plane of Development.
The Montessori Curriculum
Montessori schools implement the SAMA Montessori curriculum for ages 0-12.