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Maria Montessori is one of the most influential names in the history of early childhood education!

Maria Montessori was born August 31st, 1870 in Chiaravalle, Italy. Educated in Rome, Maria became one of Italy’s first ever female physicians and graduated from the University of Rome’s medical program, focussing on psychiatry. However during this time she also developed a keen interest in pedagogy, education and educational theory which would help her create an innovative way of teaching young children and would also spur her to open up the first ever Montessori school called the Casa dei Bambini or Children’s House. Maria is famous for having developed a school of thought and method of teaching, named after her, whose main tenets centre around a young child’s natural curiosity and inclination to learn.

This style of teaching in early childhood became known as the Montessori Method and is a style of teaching that focusses on auto-education or a child’s innate intrigue in self-taught learning. Within the Montessori Method, children are given the space and resources to learn at their own pace and in ways which are natural and less structured. With the ability to have up to three grade levels within a single classroom, Maria Montessori incorporated this aspect of integration into the Montessori Method, after making the observation that children can learn from each other and can be taught by each other just as easily as adults teach children.

Maria observed that children have a natural desire to learn, and she designed her classrooms and materials to facilitate this process. Maria’s work has had a lasting impact on the field of early childhood education. Today, there are thousands of Montessori schools in over 100 countries, educating millions of children. Maria’s philosophy of education stresses the importance of hands-on learning, respect for individual differences, and a prepared child sized environment. These ideas are now widely used in Early Childhood settings all over the world. Maria Montessori was truly a pioneer in her field, and her legacy continues to influence educators today.

About the Montessori Method

One of the most important aspects of Montessori education is the prepared environment. The prepared environment is a carefully designed space that meets the needs of the children and allows them to explore and learn at their own pace. The materials in the environment are specially selected to engage the senses and encourage learning. Montessori classrooms are typically filled with colourful, inviting materials that invite exploration.

The Montessori Method is based on the belief that children are naturally curious and have an innate desire to learn. Maria believed that if we provide children with a stimulating environment and the opportunity to explore their surroundings, they will develop into competent, confident learners. The Montessori method relies heavily on hands-on learning experiences. Children are encouraged to touch, manipulate, and experiment with materials in order to gain a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Interesting things to consider about Montessori:

Class sizes are often large and are well organized

Montessori materials are used throughout the classroom

Classes are often calm and quiet

Classes often include mixed age groups of up to 3 grade /age levels

Montessori educators often hold a college degree and Montessori training as well as early childhood education training when they are working with young children

There is a difference between authentic Montessori and Montessori-inspired

Classes focus on a child’s natural learning process and innate curiosity to educate itself

To this day Montessori schools and early childhood education centres and facilities are very popular for their child-centered approach to learning.

Montessori Practical Life — Montessori – Practical Life

Cool Things About Montessori

The Montessori method has been in use for over a hundred years.

In 2020 it was 150 years since the birth of Maria Montessori

Maria Montessori opened the first Montessori school called the Casa dei Bambini, or Children’s House—in Rome on January 6, 1907.

There are over 22,000 Montessori schools across 110 countries around the world.

Montessori is one of the fastest growing forms of education in the world.

What are some of the benefits of the Montessori Method?

The Montessori Method is an educational approach that is based on the belief that children are naturally curious and eager to learn. This approach emphasizes hands-on learning and allows children to move at their own pace. As a result, Montessori classrooms are often filled with materials that encourage exploration and discovery. The Montessori Method has been shown to have numerous benefits, including improved academic achievement, social skills, and creative thinking. In addition, the Montessori Method has been found to be particularly beneficial for those with exceptional needs or who are considered to be at-risk. As the world becomes increasingly complex, the ability to think creatively and outside of the box will become increasingly valuable.

Montessori is unique in its focus on the individual child. Maria believed that each child is a unique individual with different strengths, interests, and needs. She designed her classrooms and materials to meet the needs of each individual child. In a Montessori classroom, you will often see children working at different levels and at their own pace. This allows each child to learn according to his or her own abilities and interests.

The Legacy of Dr. Maria Montessori

The effect Maria Montessori has had on and continues to have on ECE programs and schools throughout Canada and across the globe is unprecedented and growing in popularity. And although Montessori died in May 6th, 1952 she left behind a legacy so great in the field and study of ECE that the Montessori name has not only become a household name in the field of ECE, but a symbol by which many people associate good quality early childhood education.

Without question, the legacy of Dr. Maria Montessori has had a lasting impact on the field of Early Childhood Education. Maria’s philosophy of education stresses the importance of hands-on learning, respect for the individual child and the capabilities of young children. These ideas are now widely used in Early Childhood settings all over the world. Maria Montessori was truly a pioneer in her field, and her legacy continues to influence educators today.

Check Out Our ECE Workshops Connected to Montessori!

Online ECE Workshop: It’s Not About Easy — It’s About Following The Child!

Our online ECE workshop called “It’s not about easy–it’s about following the child” has been developed by 45 Conversations to support early childhood educators in easily obtaining their professional development hours. This workshop incorporates a lot of early learning practices based on the Montessori method. For example learners will:

Understand the concept of “following the child” and how it relates to self-directed learning.
Assess their own personal beliefs and philosophies to determine how those beliefs can impact the children they care for, their team, and the environment they want to create.
Understand the benefits of supporting self-direction and independence in young children within early learning and care environments.
Identify five ways they can begin supporting self-direction and independence with the young children in their care.
Create a learning environment that puts child self-directed independence at the forefront.

You can join this workshop now and begin learning about key elements of Maria Montessori right away. Register today!

Online ECE Workshop: Implementing a Montessori-Inspired Approach

Our online ECE workshop called “Implementing a Montessori-Inspired Approach” provides an excellent overview of Montessori and the ways you can go about establishing a Montessori-Inspired approach in your program. This ECE Workshop covers:

Part 1 – Introduction to Dr. Maria Montessori and the Montessori Method of Education
Part 2 – Understanding the Difference Between the Montessori Method of Education and a Montessori-inspired Approach
Part 3 – Implementing a Montessori-inspired Approach
Part 4 – 8 – Detailed Overview of 5 Montessori-Inspired Actions You Can Take to Begin Implementing a Montessori-inspired Approach Right Away
Part 9 – Assess Your Personal and Professional Alignment with the Montessori-inspired Approach
Part 10 – Workshop Completion and Request Your Professional Development Certificate

Visit the registration page to learn more and to begin today!

Last Update: 2022

Resources for Designing & Developing New Child Care Spaces in BC

There are a great many questions that arise when developing a new child care program. Quality child care design brings together a lot of moving parts. Knowing what’s involved, how to start and things to consider when it comes to child care design is critical. Below are several resources specific to child care in BC that will be of assistance to individuals and organizations considering establishing new child care spaces in BC.

Child Care Licensing Regulation

The recent funding for new child care spaces in BC is for the development of spaces that are licensed. It’s important to note that licensed child care facilities are required to work in compliance with the Child Care Licensing Regulation. These regulations are the minimum requirements that all licensed child care programs in BC are required to meet. In many ways, the Child Care Licensing Regulations serve as a foundation for a high quality program to be built upon. That said, where possible — it’s a good idea for programs to not only meet — but to exceed the minimum requirements that have been established within the Child Care Licensing Regulation.

Understanding what’s involved in designing a quality child care program can be confusing. The Provincial Government offers quite a helpful range of information to support child care program development and operation. You can find more about that here.

Outdoor Child Care Play Area Under Construction

Where To Find More Information on Child Care Design and Development

How a program goes about meeting the child care licensing regulation is based upon many factors. A lot depends upon budget, available space, program type, ages of children to be served, program philosophy etc. There is a lot to consider when it comes to the development of new child care spaces.

Below are some additional resources related to the design and development of early learning and child care spaces.

The City of Richmond – Child Care Design Guidelines

The City of Richmond has an excellent and very informative document explaining the guidelines recommended in the design of and the technical considerations necessary for the development of new child care facilities within urban environments. From safety to security concerns, this document covers a lot of helpful and easy to read resources and recommendations for the creation and development of safe and secure, educational, and fun child care spaces.

The City of Vancouver – Child Care Technical Guidelines

The City of Vancouver provides another resource that is useful in terms of designing and creating new child care facilities. Much like the City of Richmond’s document, this document provides technical and design elements necessary to the development of new child care facilities. This document delves further into the technical and architectural aspects of creating the actual buildings, spaces, and programs within a child care facility, citing multiple companies that have proven successful to use in the past when it comes to building good quality child care facilities with appliances and fixtures specifically designed for child friendly environments.

Vancouver Coastal Health – Design Resource for Child Care Facilities

Vancouver Coastal Health provides a design resource for creating new or renovated child care spaces that incorporates the needs of the children, families, and communities involved in its designing and budgeting.

The BC Aboriginal Child Care Society – Many Resources Available!

The BCACCS has produced several publications in partnership with various colleagues in the field of Early Childhood Development. Many of these publications include information about best practices and approaches in Indigenous early childhood programs. It is beneficial for programs to take into consideration the needs of Indigenous children when designing new child care spaces.

Let’s Play Project – Creating Accessible Play Spaces

While this toolkit speaks to ways to make school play spaces more inclusive; it’s still a valuable resource for early childhood programs when it comes to the development of outdoor play areas for child care programs.

Child Care Options – Child Care Design Architects/Outdoor Playspace Designers

Several years ago Child Care Options put together this list of architects who work in the area of child care design and outdoor play areas.

Make Sure You Have a Voice for Child Care at the Table

One of the critical elements to designing a high quality child care program is ensuring there’s an experienced and educated voice for child care at the planning table — right from the beginning of the project. This will help the project to go more smoothly, to more easily meet the child care licensing regulation and will also reduce the possibility of costly design errors when the project is under construction (or renovation.)

Need Help with Child Care Design or Program Development?

45 Conversations provides an array of consultation and program development services related to early learning and child care projects. If you are working on a project that you need assistance with please contact Jane Boyd to further discuss the needs of your project. Employers who are considering the development of workplace child care might also find this information helpful.

This post was researched and written by Pricilla Westlake and Jane Boyd.

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Maria Montessori and the Montessori Method