What is Montessori Education?

Montessori education is a living, concrete form of education that at its core, is the belief that:

• The world of knowledge is limitless for a child – they need only the ability to access it. Their mode of access is through the senses – concrete learning or experiential learning which allows them to physically experience their knowledge.
• Children have a never-ending curiosity, which, when fostered, evolves into a love of learning, and a strong sense of self.
• Education is a secondary step to appreciation. When children learn to appreciate themselves, others and their environment, they develop an awe and curiosity for their world, a thirst for knowledge, which translates to a love of learning.
• Appreciation for others reaches beyond tolerance. Children can break through barriers of apathy and prejudice, by experiencing the culture of the world within their classroom. Developing an understanding of others unlike themselves, paves the way for peace education.

What Do We Mean By Experiential Learning?

Experiential learning — learning by doing or hands-on learning — permeates every part of the Montessori Tides curriculum. Experiential learning is an approach to education in which students actively engage in relevant, authentic experiences that reinforce academic lessons or teach life skills. These hands-on experiences deepen understanding and have a lasting impact on the child. Students draw from their Montessori experiences beyond our walls and into adulthood. Students make discoveries and experiment with knowledge themselves, instead of relying solely on the experiences of others.