The Montessori Method was founded by Maria Montessori in 1907 in Italy.
Maria Montessori discovered that children were better learners in the years up to the age of six than they ever will be again and that they can learn almost anything, provided the right techniques are used. In a Montessori classroom children are encouraged to choose every activity they wish to work with and to complete it in their own time. Montessori found that once children are accustomed to making their own choices, they are naturally attracted to what will best serve their educational needs.

The Montessori classroom always aims to promote a calm, relaxed and harmonious atmosphere. Emphasis is very much on children doing things for themselves, learning to take care of their own needs and using the concentration they have acquired from being allowed to work without interruption at a chosen task.

Once children become familiar with the classroom, they are ready for the next stage in their education. These foundations begin with the development and refining of their senses with special 'sensorial' tactile and hands on materials. As with all Montessori materials, the main focus of the exercise is working from a 'concrete to abstract' concept so that the child can see, feel and experience the idea in the most simple terms before considering the same area of learning as a much bigger picture.

Reading and number work are also taught with especially designed materials, with particular emphasis on shape and form in conjunction with the sound or quantity as a separate, parallel learning area before combining the two.

An important factor of the Montessori teaching method is that all equipment has an in-built 'control of error' factor which allows the child to discover and correct his or her own mistakes without having to ask for help. Problem solving then becomes the child's responsibility and awareness and confidence are greatly enhanced by the inclusion of this factor. In addition Montessori teaching tries to teach with kindness, using the positive incentives of pride in achievement, craftsmanship or a job well done. It avoids any approach which uses punishment or prize, blackmail and bribery. Maria Montessori discovered that children are well aware of the value of their achievements and can see through lavish praise, especially when a mistake is obvious. Likewise, because punishment usually humiliates and often causes a child to stop trying rather than to try and improve, it does not feature in a Montessori nursery.

The Montessori Method was founded by Maria Montessori in 1907 in Italy. Maria discovered a method of teaching that allowed the children to develop and learn to achieve their own potential. To do this she created an atmosphere that was warm, happy and loving and that is what we aim to recreate at the Honey Bears Montessori.
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