The child is both a hope and promise for mankind
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How does Montessori work?
Montessori is a method of education that is based on a profound respect for the child. It emphasizes the potential of the young child, by utilizing special teaching materials and specially trained teachers. The Montessori philosophy is unique as it concentrates on the child’s approach. The goal of our program is to help every child reach his or her full potential in various areas of everyday life. The child of 0 to 6 is a sensorial learner. The Montessori materials developed by Dr. Maria Montessori are designed with a number of multi-sensory sequential and self-correcting options to facilitate learning and nurture the child at this stage of development.
Key points on the history of the school
Orleans Montessori Children’s House Inc. (OMCH) started in January 1989 with a group of 12 children. It was a bilingual casa program (three to six years old). There were two Montessori teachers in the class teaching a mixed group of French and English children. After three years renting a house daycare on Gerald Street, we built our present location at 1212 Arbuste Street, Cumberland Ontario. After a few years, the number of children attending our casa program grew and we decided to split the group into two classes: a bilingual class and a French Montessori class. In 2016, we are returning to one bilingual casa class to make room for our toddler class. Our goal is to keep our school small enough to know everyone; but always maintaining a high standard of Montessori teaching and keeping the environment rich in cultural experiences.
Who was Maria Montessori?
Maria Montessori was born in 1870. She became the first Italian woman to graduate in medicine from the University of Rome.
While researching about treatments of mentally deficient children, Maria took a new direction in her life. She wanted to help all children learn. Maria later developed her own education system.
In 1907, Maria was asked to organize the infant schools that were being built in a rehousing program. The first school was for children aged three to six. She called it “Casa dei Bambini”, the Children’s House.
In the following years, many other Children’s Houses were founded. The Montessori method started to spread all over the world. In 1909, the first Montessori training course was given and private Montessori schools were established in Europe.
Maria was nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize and in 1950 she became the Italian delegate to United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). She died at Noordwijk, in the Netherlands on May 6, 1952 at the age of 81.
What is the true value of Montessori?
Montessori awakens the child’s desire to learn and enhance his or her curiosity into a learning experience. This philosophy and the freedom that accompanies it allows the child to choose the exercises that he or she wishes to work on. The teacher closely monitors these choices and provides the required help when needed. The true value of the Montessori program becomes apparent through the development of self-discipline, self-esteem, self-mastery and a love of learning.
