What is Montessori

 
  
The North American Montessori Association (NAMTA) describes Montessori as:

“… a comprehensive educational approach from birth to adulthood based on the observation of children's needs in a variety of cultures all around the world.

Beginning her work almost a century ago, Dr. Maria Montessori developed this educational approach based on her understanding of children's natural learning tendencies as they unfold in “prepared environments; for multi-age groups (0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, and 12-14).
The Montessori environment contains specially designed, manipulative materials for development that invite children to engage in learning activities of their own individual choice. Under the guidance of a trained teacher, children in a Montessori classroom learn by making discoveries with the materials, cultivating concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning."
 
Today, Montessori schools are found worldwide, serving children from birth through adolescence.
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Check out these links for more information:

North American Montessori Teachers' Association (NAMTA) – http://www.montessori-namta.org

Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators (CMMA) – http://www.ccma.ca

Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) – http://www.montessori-ami.org

American Montessori Society (AMS) – http://www.amshq.org