East Meadow, NY
Montessori Children's School of Long Island

"Dr. Maria Montessori was a medical doctor and pioneer educator who was born in Italy in 1870 and died in 1952. As her life's work, she developed a teaching philosophy that balances freedom with responsibility in the classroom and also sets high standards of intellectual and social development for children. The following represents some of the educational principles and philosophy developed by Dr. Montessori:

• Educational research indicates that children ages 3-6 are extremely
capable of learning meaningful things, and that intellectual stimulation
given at this age level helps to create the foundation for later academic
success. A program of play alone does not help the young child to
organize his or her mental processes, which is necessary for
academic learning. Therefore, the Montessori program is a learning
program with a curriculum wherein the children enjoy the work

lay
environment created for them.

• The Montessori curriculum focuses on the development of the whole
child, which includes their intellectual development. The goal of a
good Montessori program is the integration of the child's personality
and the organization of his/her thought processes. This provides the
basis for later academic success, and is accomplished through direct
experiences with meaningful activities and materials. "Develop interest
rather than give facts," said Dr. Montessori.

• Young children have amazing mental concentration if given activities
and material that fulfill their need to grow and discover themselves.
Given the choice, children will prefer meaningful work to play. When
a young child has a positive experience with the process, it influences
him/her for the rest of their life.

• The Nursery through Kindergarten classroom should not be graded,
permitting the children to learn according to their ability and not
forcing them to keep up with "the group." No grades are given; the
children's accomplishments are their rewards.

• Each child is allowed to experience the excitement of learning by
his/her own choice, and he/she will maximize their potential to
become an independent, secure, loving, and balanced human being.

• Children literally absorb knowledge from their environment; therefore,
if this environment is enriched with special materials suited to their
needs, children will learn easily and joyfully.

• Children can learn to read, write, and work with numbers in the same
natural way that they learn to walk and talk.

• In order for the child’s ability to expand at the same rate as his interest
and aptitude, it is best to start the experience at an early age. No child is
happy without a sense of self-discipline, self-esteem, and order.


A happy, nurturing, loving, and creative atmosphere
A love of learning
The ability to work and play harmoniously with others
Social skills developed in a relaxed environment
A solid educational foundation
Exciting, challenging material created to satisfy the needs of the "sensitive periods" in your child's development
An environment where learning evolves like building blocks as your child advances, starting with basic materials and growing to the more challenging
A longer concentration span
Self-discipline, initiative, and excellent work habits
A program where your child can learn at his/her own pace, naturally and spontaneously, in an open classroom environment
"
Excerpted from the preschool's website

source:

"Practical Life
Sensorial or Perceptual
Math
Language/Reading
Cultural Subjects
Geography
History
Science
Fine Arts
Music
"
Excerpted from the preschool's website

source: