How We Use the Montessori Method at Creative Montessori Academy

At Creative Montessori Academy, we often have prospective families ask us, “What is Montessori?” The Montessori Method helps us understand why we are learning something, rather than just learning to learn. Once you’ve grasped the concept of Montessori education, you often wonder how or why you ever learned in any other way. That being said, when you are still new to Montessori, it can be a bit overwhelming.

We’ve simplified Montessori into six philosophies that we truly value at Creative Montessori Academy. We hope that as you read through our philosophies, you recognize how our teachings benefit students and families alike. We invite you to visit us to see our Montessori in action. Fair warning, you just might love it!

The Teaching of Maria Montessori

The Montessori Method is based on the teaching of Dr. Maria Montessori, a medical doctor, teacher, philosopher and anthropologist who noticed a link between the children she would see in her practice and their educational experiences. Maria set out to bring forth a way of learning that would engage children freely while nurturing their natural development. This “new” method of learning, the Montessori Method, allowed children to empower and educate themselves.

Environmentally Focused

We know that all children are different. When we understand and practice that belief, we can accept that all children learn differently as well. Because of this, our Montessori teaching allows us to build an environment that encourages independence, observations, and preparation. Our teachers take the time to observe their students, allowing them to understand their learning patterns and characteristics. This allows us to prepare our learning environments based on how our students learn best.

We are All One Family

As a school, we are preparing children for adulthood, even if that may be years away. This means that we treat our students the way we want to be treated. We use manners, calmly express how we feel, and take time to work through our problems. We know that we are not perfect and accept ourselves just as we teach our students to. We trust and respect one another, and through doing so, we teach our students how to be mindful, graceful and courteous individuals.

Problem-Solving First

Parents are often surprised that we don’t use rewards or punishments for compliance. We believe that our students develop self-discipline through this practice. A behavior or action is a response to a stimulus. If we were to snap at a friend, there is a reason behind that. Maybe we are tired, overworked, or hungry. In Montessori education, we understand this and first work to find the stimulus and help our students develop the skills to problem-solve effectively. This instinctively helps the child understand how to handle situations in the future.

We Keep Our Students Moving

Our classrooms are not filled with rows of desks. That is because children are mobile creatures and need room to move and grow. A desk constricts a child to one spot, and we believe that learning is based on exploration. At Creative Montessori Academy, we use various tools to help children learn concepts. If a student wants to learn to count while standing, they are encouraged to. If a student would rather sit cross-legged on the floor, they are able to. Learning is not stationary, and we recognize that our brains need different tools and textures to be most effective.

We Practice Peace-Making

We are constantly practicing the creation of peace in all facets of our students lives, whether that be in the classroom, home, life or Earth. We believe we can change the world and make a positive impact through embracing peacefulness. We encourage that same mentality to our students.

At Creative Montessori Academy, we are committed to our use of the Montessori Method as an effective tool for our students. We hope that the philosophies listed above help families better understand what makes us different, and for more information be sure to visit our website and follow us on social media.