The Montessori Method

The heart of any education system is the child. Maria Montessori recognized this and built the Montessori Philosophy on the child's natural love of learning. Another cornerstone of the Montessori method is respect: Respect for self, others, and the environment. Within this framework there is a facilitator of knowledge, who acts as a guide between the materials and the information, thus creating freedom with limits fostering independence, concentration, order, and coordination.

At Montessori Manor, the community respects and nourishes the child's natural drive to learn. The child delights in being part of a whole community, and exercises their freedom and spontaneity in and out of the classroom. They feel joy and enthusiasm in learning because they work on what interests them. Gradually, the child builds a strong sense of independence and self-confidence as they practice and improve their skills.

The classroom is a multi-sensory environment rich with didactic materials to stimulate academic and social growth for each age group. The multi-aged group contributes to peer teaching, sharing, and social development, awakening the child’s natural urge to explore, discover, and learn.

Montessori Manor draws on the child's intrinsic motivation and shows them appropriate ways to ask for help, resolve conflict, and live peacefully in a community. Montessori Manor follows the Montessori Philosophy on positive discipline and approaches all situations with these principles in mind. The Montessori Philosophy places great importance on respecting children and fostering their independence. Guides remain patient and consistent throughout the process and work to provide steady positive discipline. When a child is frustrated or angry, it is natural for them to need guidance through the situation, and necessary for the guide to provide the words allowing them to overcome an obstacle. If a child conducts a harmful action, gentle redirection and encouragement often gives the right nudge toward an appropriate and respectful response. Negative behavior is not tolerated, but redirected and/or channeled into something safer.

The prevailing atmosphere at Montessori Manor is one of freedom within the limitation of respect and safety for oneself and others. The staff of Montessori Manor believe it is the adult’s responsibility to give limits until they are internalized. The classrooms are equipped with Montessori materials as well as supplementary materials that enhance the classroom experience. The child can choose the materials they wish to use, but learns to operate them in the prescribed manner so as not disturb the rights of other children. The atmosphere is free from adult domination and student competition. Many different levels of material are provided in every classroom to stimulate each child's interest and natural curiosity.

Montessori Manor has fulfilled the requirements for approval established by the Maryland State Department of Education (MDSE) and the Office of Child Care (OCC).

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