The purpose of our Montessori programs are to help each individual child to become aware of himself as a loving, giving person who believes in his own worth and to develop his full potential as an integral part of the whole school community. With this in mind, Montessori Village and Education Centre will provide and maintain a happy, safe and healthy learning environment which will assist the child in the development of self-esteem and self-confidence. Maria Montessori held a vision of education wherein everything relevant to the life of a child at his particular stage of development is provided in an appropriate, stimulating environment; where learning through discovery is facilitated and encouraged. We believe that every child possesses an inner dynamic spirit which, when properly nurtured and cultivated, will blossom into a lifelong love of learning.

The Beginnings

In 1907, the first "Children's house" was created by Maria Montessori, the first woman doctor in Italy. She built shelves, chairs and tables for the children, all at their measure. She prepared a new environment full of colour, sounds and shapes. She brought into it specially constructed materials which guided the children's interest and sense of wonder.

As the children were encouraged to touch, move, feel, taste and smell, they began to learn. They were allowed to pour, scrub, wash, jump, laugh and discover. They discovered music. They discovered order and cleanliness, they discovered that there were rules upon which to act, share and live. They discovered God. They discovered human kindness which was their own.

The children were transformed: and they, in turn transformed their world. They brought order, cleanliness, understanding, kindness and love to their homes. They brought peace.

This new nature of the child which Maria watched unfold in wonderment, she documented as "The Discovery of the Child" in one of her many books. Around the world today, the spirit of Montessori lives on in "Children's Houses" where children of all races grow and unfold as these first children did so many years ago.

Prepared Environment

The child draws knowledge from what surrounds her. The child is constructing herself in two ways: within herself and within society. She is learning through this social environment, discovering how she belongs to the race of human kind.

The human spirit is universal and the child is universal as she adapts to her place and time. With this knowledge, we can better guide and serve the child in the construction of the adult she will become through various environments: the home, the "Children's House" (Casa), the lower and upper levels of Elementary programs and the society at large.

New children are introduced to the class a few at a time. This enables the directress/director to have the opportunity to give each child individual attention.

Fundamental Principles

EDUCATION AND PEACE

"Education is not what the teacher gives; education is a natural process spontaneously carried out by the human individual, and is acquired not by listening to words but by experiences upon the environment. The task of the teacher becomes that of preparing a series of motives of cultural activity, spread over a specially prepared environment, and then refraining from obtrusive interference. Human teachers can only help the great work that is being done, as servants help the master. Doing so, they will be witnesses to the unfolding of the human soul and to the rising of a New Man who will not be the victim of event, but will have the clarity of vision to direct and shape the future of human society."

("Education for a New World", Maria Montessori, 1870-1952)