Montessori students thrive cognitively, emotionally and socially because they are active participants in their learning process. The guiding principles of the Montessori Method apply across all stages of development; they include freedom of choice within limits, spontaneous interaction, uninterrupted work time, real objects for purposeful work and hands on scientific didactic materials. Children choose activities they are interested in, promoting exploration, imagination and discovery, deepening their learning experience. Through repetition and friendliness to error, children gain independence, self-confidence and increased ability to focus and concentrate. Fundamental to Montessori is a deep respect for children, a carefully prepared environment and a skillfully trained teacher. Children excel because the teacher “follows the child” to his or her potential with no educational or curriculum limits. Through careful observation and signs of readiness, the teacher will offer lessons independently or in small groups. When you enter a Montessori classroom you will see busy, self-reliant, joyful and peaceful children working independently or with others.
Yes! We offer 7 weeks of summer school. Generally, it runs from July 1st to August 16th though this can change from year to year. Please contact for specific dates.
The Association Montessori International (AMI) was established by Dr. Maria Montessori herself, in order to protect the integrity of her work and to support high standards for both teacher training and schools. This organization is internationally recognized as maintaining the highest standards of the philosophical integrity of the method and the professional training of Montessori guides.
The Montessori Method adapts to a child’s interest and needs by providing child sized furnishings and open shelving to promote freedom of choice. Montessori believed children have an innate love for learning and it is their work to construct the person they are becoming. She found they do this best when given the opportunity to follow their natural urges to interact with their environment in purposeful ways. As a result, children enthusiastically engage in activities they are interested in, increasing concentration and deepening understanding. Through modeling by skilled teachers, children are taught respect, care for others and care for things, giving children experience physically and socially how to be an active participant in a “little community” of their own.
The mixed age criterion within a Montessori classroom is another key component that sets the Montessori method apart from conventional education. Young children learn from their older peers and older children gain a sense of mastery and pride in “teaching” their younger classmates. Social relations within the mixed age community prepare the child for life outside the classroom. Your child will have the opportunity to develop his/her fullest potential in this unique, enriching environment.
Children are ready for a Montessori preschool once they’re independently potty trained. The first three-year Montessori cycle typically begins at the age of three.
If a child becomes disruptive or destructive to materials, he/she will be guided to specific activities to redirect his/her energies. In some cases, it may be necessary to keep a child by an adult’s side until he/she is no longer disruptive or destructive. On rare occasions, when a child is consistently unable to function in the classroom, a parent or guardian may be called to take the child home for the rest of the day.
If a child becomes an ongoing source of disruption, parents/guardians will be notified, and a time will be set up to discuss the situation. Little Fruit Farm Montessori reserves the right to request a removal of the child from the classroom if it is not a good match for him/her. The child’s readmission will be at the discretion of the staff.
Parents are asked to provide a healthy, nutritious, easily packaged lunch for your child. Consider your child’s independence and please do not include snacks with packages that your child cannot open by him/herself. Please avoid artificially colored and sugary snacks, which may affect your child’s energy during the day.
Your child’s clothing should be functional and versatile to allow full body movement. Keep in mind that the children are very active and often do work on floor mats and outside. Please dress your child appropriately for the weather and offer layers for your child to add/remove as their needs change throughout the day.
Please consider your children’s ability level in dressing themselves. For example, if your child does not yet know how to button and zip his/her pants, you may choose to dress your child in pants with elastic waistbands. This greatly improves your child’s sense of independence and pride to do things for him/herself when taking care of bathroom needs, etc.