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Early Years Montessori School
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Contact Us
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3241 Brush Dr.
Falls Church,
VA
22042
703-237-0264
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Our Philosophy & Curriculum
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PhilosophyMontessori schools are founded upon a deep respect for each individual child. Dr. Maria Montessori, the Italian pediatrician and founder of the philosophy that inspired children’s Houses through the world, believed that children posses an intrinsic desire to explore, discover, and learn about their environment.
Montessori schools help children to build within themselves the foundations for a lifetime of effective learning. Montessori educators believe in the following observation and promises of Dr. Maria Montessori:
That each child carries within himself/herself the person that he/she will someday become.
That each child is different – each develops at his/her own pace.
That children need sound learning experiences during the non-recoverable early years. Children should have opportunities to build positive attitudes towards themselves – and towards others during those years.
That Montessori children learn how to learn. Patterns established in those early years produce confident, competent learners for life.
That children who attend Montessori schools develop valuable personal characteristics – among these self-confidence, independence, initiative, sense of order, ability to concentrate, persistence, increased curiosity and pride in learning.
We believe that all these things happen when children develolp at their own pace in a joyful atmosphere that balances intellectual stimulation, creativity and love.
The Montessori teacher surrounds children with a carefully planned, stimulating environment. The children discover materials especially designed for their readiness and maturity, and develop at their own pace in a non-competitive atmosphere.
Montessori children work both individually and in groups with other learning materials that reflect today’s society. Your child receives the individual attention needed in a happy, relaxed atmosphere where older children help the younger children naturally.
Program
The program for 2 to 6 year olds involves children in a series of sequential, manipulative and sensorial activities that ultimately bridge the gap between concrete and abstract learning.
Vital to growing minds such as identifying colors, sizes, shapes, weights and smells, i.e., children work with intriguing cylinders, musical bells, geometric solids and painted color tablets.
As your child’s interest grows, he/she is introduced from one level to another but only after your child is prepared for the next step to assure success rather than frustration.
Enrollment
Early Years Montessori School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available for students at the school. Before enrolling, parents should make an appointment through the school office to observe the classes with their child and to meet with the School Director for a brief explanation of Montessori theory and practice. After visiting, parents may obtain an application form from the office. The completed form, submitted with the application fee, reserves a place for the child.
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The Montessori Curriculum
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Dr. Maria Montessori, who in 1894 became the first Italian woman to receive her M.D. degree, discovered that very young children could be taught in a structured but relaxed atmosphere when allowed to experiment freely with exciting, colorful, scientifically devised apparatus. Based on her ideas, Montessori schools have sprung up all over the world. In them, children from the ages of two to six are taught together in the same classroom so they then learn from each other in both individual and group lessons. Particular attention is given to neatness and order in the environment, grace and courtesy, discipline with love and respect for the individual. The Montessori curriculum includes arts, crafts, games, tumbling, physical exercise, music, dancing, as well as broad concepts of geography, history, science, botany, and geometry, with concentrations in four basic areas.
Practical Life:
These exercises help the child to cope with problems encountered every day at home and at school. They are difficult but interesting to children who want to learn how. They lead to coordination of large and small muscles and to the child’s independence.
Sensorial:
Attractive, scientific apparatus designed to appeal to all the senses. Through manipulation, the child learns to compare, select and classify on the basis of size, weight, color, texture, sound and taste. Refinement of the senses develops the intelligence and leads to a clear and orderly mind. By successfully mastering sensorial exercises, children gain self-confidence and an eagerness to learn more.
Language:
First phonetic sounds of the alphabet are taught, then putting sounds together to make simple phonetic words, then the more difficult puzzle and phonogram words. As soon as they can hold a pencil, children want to write words, then little stories, which they illustrate. Writing leads to reading and interest in grammatical constructions: the technique of conveying idea by attention to choice of words.
Mathematics:
The meaning of numeration and quantity are taught first, and then unique bead material introduces the concepts of the decimal system. Children learn to add, subtract, multiply, divide, to calculate, measure and be exact.
The Montessori teacher (called directress) and aides do not dominate a classroom but constantly monitor it, recognizing each child’s special needs. Ready to step in when the child wants help and prepared to introduce new material when the child is ready.
As the master themselves and their environment, children gain independence, self-confidence, dignity and a strong sense of personal worth tempered with compassionate concern for the rights and feelings of others. They are prepared to leave the structured environment of the Montessori classroom and make their way in the larger world.
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