The Montessori method is an approach to childhood education devised by Maria Montessori (the first Italian woman to obtain a medical degree). In a marked departure from traditional teaching methods, Montessori advocates 'following the child' rather than leading him. The approach is based upon the premise that the child has an inborn desire and capability to fulfil his own developmental needs and the adult/educator's role is to support this developmental work.

To harness the child's natural abilities and provide concrete experiences and materials, when the child is most motivated and interested, towards attaining independence; intellectually and physically.

There are 5 main areas:-

• Practical Life - enables children to practise the skills of everyday life while developing concentration and co-ordination of mind and body.
• Sensorial - provide children opportunities to use their 'senses' to learn; enabling them to classify and order the physical properties of the world around them
• Mathematics - provide children opportunity to learn and understand mathematical concepts with the aid of concrete materials.
• Language - writing and reading through a natural process using the phonetic system
• Culture - including geography, history, music, art, botany in a hands on approach which provides children opportunities to experience the world around them.
There is a three hour work cycle within which there are no set timetables. Children progress naturally and gradually through activities in a specially prepared environment within which each activity prepares them for a later one, guided and directed by a trained adult.

Maria Montessori set up the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) in 1929 to ensure her work would be faithfully reproduced after her death. A school that is run by an AMI trained teacher is practising what is known as 'Maria Montessori's Montessori'.

General:

The Libra House Montessori School offers a mixed age classroom and is staffed by trained adults including an AMI certified Directress.