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The Montessori Philosophy | EMS Montessori Program

The Montessori Philosophy

Dr. Montessori’s aim as an educator was to develop the whole personality of the child through motor, sensory and intellectual activity. The Montessori classroom is a miniature community, where each child, working at his own level, may acquire self-reliance and self discipline. The joint activities of the children foster courtesy, consideration of others, neatness, order and discipline. These activities encourage the acquisition of values from within the child rather than only from without.

Our curriculum is based upon the Montessori Philosophy. Actual handling of the Montessori teaching materials in the prepared environment of the nursery school stimulates the child’s learning in: Practical Life, Language Arts, Mathematics, Sensorial, Nature and Environment, Science, Movement, Geography, Music, Arts and Crafts.

School Trips and Audio-Visual Equipment supplement the teaching techniques.

EMS Montessori Program

Dr. Nancy McCormick Ranbush, founder of the American Montessori Foundation identified 9 characteristics of an authentic Montessori School. The EMS incorporates all these characteristics in its program.

• Child Centered Environment - our focus is on children learning within small groups or individually.
• Responsive Prepared Environment - our environment meets the needs of the children. Tables, chairs, coat closet shelves are all placed at the childrens’ level so they can explore and master their environment. We choose materials based on the abilities of the children in our group and change them frequently to stimulate their minds.
• Focus On Individual Progress and Development - each child is viewed as unique and proceeds at his/her own pace.
• Hands On Learning - our learning materials are real things the children can touch and learn from. We utilize concrete models that allow for children to better understand abstract concepts and the environment.
• Spontaneous Activity - the children are encouraged to move about freely and explore their surroundings within clearly defined limits.
• Active Learning - the curriculum selects subjects which interest the child, are of academic importance and aimed at long-term progress. Students may choose to work with material that may take weeks or months to master and then are encouraged to share their knowledge with the other students.
• Self-Directed Activity - the children are encouraged to master things on their own. They are encouraged to put on and take off their own coat, put their own papers away, set up and clean up their own snack and to make choices on their own. By fostering their independence they become more self-directed.
• Freedom Within Limits - the children enjoy freedom of choice within the clearly defined guidelines set by our teachers within the classroom.
• Intrinsic Motivation To Learn - By setting up a visually stimulating environment and providing interesting activities to explore and by using the unique nature preserve we help foster the child’s intrinsic motivation to learn and appreciate nature.