Questions and Answers About Montessori
What is Montessori Education?
Montessori is a method of education that is based on hands-on learning, collaborative play and self-directed activity. In Montessori classrooms, children make creative choices in their learning while the classroom and the teacher offer age appropriate activities to guide the process. Children work in groups and individually to discover people, places and knowledge of the world.
Montessori classrooms are specifically designed to meet the developmental needs of children within this age range. Dr. Maria Montessori discovered that experiential learning in this type of classroom lead to a deeper understanding of language, mathematics, science, music, social interactions, and so much more.
Each tool and material in a beautifully designed Montessori classroom supports specific aspects of a child's development, creating a match between the child's natural interests and the available activities. Because of this match, children can learn through their own experience and at their own pace. Children are allowed to follow their natural curiosities that exist in all humans, to build a solid foundation for life-long learning.
Who is Dr. Maria Montessori?
Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952) was an Italian physician and anthropologist (twice nominated for the Nobel peace prize) who studied how children develop socially, intellectually, physically and spiritually.
Through her careful observations of children all over the world, she discovered universal patterns of development which are found in all children regardless of their culture. She believed that each child is born with a unique potential to be revealed, rather than as a "blank slate" waiting to be written upon.
Dr. Maria Montessori created an educational method based upon these natural patterns and grounded in a professional respect for all life. Over the past one hundred years, children throughout the world have benefited from this educational approach that supports, nurtures and protects new development.
How does Jonathan Montessori School help teach and nurture the whole child?
Besides academic lessons to develop skills in math, language, arts, sciences and home-life skills, the Montessori trained teachers help to nurture the whole child and their individual and unique talents through learning to care for themselves, their environment, each other, basic cooking, cleaning, building, gardening, moving gracefully, speaking politely, being considerate and helpful and doing good works in the community.
How are the classrooms organized?
Children are grouped in mixed ages in the classroom (from 2 years, 9 months to 6 years old). There is constant interaction, problem solving, child-to-child teaching and socialization. Children are challenged according to their ability and this age progression allows children to learn and grow in leadership roles.
What is the teacher ratio per child?
The state of Minnesota requires that one adult be present for every 10 children. At Jonathan Montessori House of Children we have three adults in a class of 25 children.
- Teachers: The first adult is a Montessori trained teacher. A Montessori teacher must possess a special credential from a Montessori Teacher Training College, usually the equivalent of one full school year above and beyond a bachelor’s degree.
- Assistant Teachers: The second adult at Jonathan Montessori is an Assistant Teacher. Assistant teachers must possess 9 credits of Early Childhood Education and one full year of experience. We are very fortunate that most of our assistant teachers actually have degrees and in some cases teaching licenses and/or Montessori training.
- Aides: An aide is the third adult in the environment at Jonathan Montessori. Although the law does not require any educational training beyond staff development hours, aides at Jonathan Montessori do have college education and in some cases possess Bachelor or Master’s degrees. They may not have concentrated their studies in Early Childhood Education and therefore may not be able to assume responsibility for the group and qualify as an aide rather than an assistant.
What programs are available at Jonathan Montessori School?
Jonathan Montessori has a variety of programs that fit different needs and family schedules. Click here to learn about our programs.
