Realizing the peculiarly absorbent nature of the child’s mind, the sensitive periods, and the human tendencies, Montessori prepared a special environment, then placed the child in it and allowed him the freedom to live in it, so he could absorb whatever he found there. We must give the world to the child.
— Maria Montessori
“We need to make the world accessible to the child “Montessori “incarnated” the world in the prepared environment of the Children’s House and allowed the freedom to the child’s human tendencies to become operative within this environment. She realized that the world was color, size, dimension, and shape; it was sound, taste, touch, and perfume; it was carpeted with grass, trees, and flowers; it was decorated with insects, butterflies, and birds; it was walked on by animals, great and small; it was watered by rain and snow, by rivers and lakes; it was sun and moon, night and day, and stars. And this world was inhabited by beings just like the child, who had made a life to be lived, as he had to live his life, from the first moment of their inception on earth.”
— M. Stephenson
When you enter a room at Casa De Ninos Bilingual Montessori School, it is pleasant with natural lighting, lovely photographs, and framed paintings hanging in view for the children. Magnificent and scientifically informed Montessori materials fill the room. Each exquisite work is carefully fashioned from superior natural materials and resembles a piece of artwork. Different plants and flowers decorate the room. The room is busy with children working with assorted materials, either sitting at child-sized tables and chairs or on the floor with small rugs. A few children purposefully walk around the room, considering different works or activities arranged on the child-sized shelves. Each child, whether working independently or quietly in pairs, is happily absorbed in the task in front of them. It is a unique and fascinating place where multi-aged children actively engage in a myriad of purposeful activities. Each child chooses his/her own “work,” whether it be polishing, painting, preparing snacks, watering a plant, matching, grading the knobbed cylinders or pink tower cubes, touching and sounding out the sandpaper letters, labeling a map of the world, or learning about quantities with the spindle rods. They are able to enjoy considerable freedom of choice and activity because of the carefully “prepared environment” tailored to their sizes, abilities, and needs and because of learning how to live within a community of respect, LOVE, and order.
The Montessori guide follows the individual child’s development by linking the child to an activity or material depending on his/her need, interest, or readiness. Thus, the children progress at their own pace and build a foundation of skills needed for life. In our mixed-aged communities, social interaction spontaneously occurs, benefiting all the children. The younger children are inspired by the advanced work they see, and the older children reinforce their skills and enhance their self-confidence and self-esteem by teaching the younger ones. All the children learn to become important and contributing members of their community. Having a Spanish immersion environment helps the child learn multiple languages naturally and simultaneously.
Reach Out Today
If you have any inquiries or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We’re here to help and provide the information you need.