What is Montessori?






Older children can learn by guiding the younger ones

Montessori is an approach to early education that focuses on the immense capacity of children to absorb information when given the freedom and independence to learn at their own pace. What makes the Montessori approach different, and what makes it work so well, is that it is based on a deep understanding of the way children learn; through choosing, trying and doing themselves. When allied to the availability of specially developed materials in a prepared environment and the close observation and guidance of a Montessori trained teacher, this leads to an enormously powerful confidence-building approach to learning.


 
Understanding the numbers

The Benefits

The Montessori approach allows children to learn through understanding, rather than being told. From understanding comes confidence and joy in learning. At the same time there is a strong physical dimension to many Montessori activities, encouraging dexterity, balance and appreciation of shapes, colours and sizes. In its approach to language and mathematics in particular, Montessori equipment provides concrete examples to illuminate abstract concepts. Thus gradually building a deep and permanent understanding of what most adults take for granted. Montessori is, literally, learning for life.

Life skills - doing the washing

Developments in Early Years

Our purpose built Early Years Department is due to be completed in December 2008 and we look forward to moving into a bright 'open plan' teaching environment with specific areas for mixed aged teaching groups. This design fits beautifully with the Montessori ethos as well as the foundation stage learning expectations. Our classrooms will have easy, but safe access to the 50 acres of school grounds as well as opening out onto its very own Forest School's outdoor classroom.

For more information click here for Forest Schools

Early Years with Montessori 



At around two and a half years old, children can join our Montessori-based Early Years Department.






To a child, the adult world is often unmanageable and confusing.The Early Years' Montessori approach offers the children a child-size world in which to explore life on a level they can truly understand.






The materials and experiences are designed to stimulate independent exploration, enabling them to proceed at their own pace. This approach ensures happy, confident children.







                                    Much of our learning takes place outside too.





Our 'Ofsted' acclaimed outstanding Early Years Department aims to give your child the finest possible experience during their earliest years, thus providing a strong foundation for life.

Montessori and The Downs, Malvern College Prep School

Life skills - Manners are important
The School’s origins are rooted in the Quaker perception of life, with its emphasis on the child as individual within a community. Empathy with and a generosity towards one’s fellow is strongly encouraged, and much prized. We are careful not to measure children by academic achievement alone, nor do we measure children against each other. Effort, enthusiasm and conduct are highly esteemed and the resulting growth in confidence is the key to unlocking other accomplishments.Montessori focuses on the individual child, allowing them to develop at their own pace, it presents a broad curriculum and provides a dovetailed foundation for life at The Downs. 

 
Early Years children enjoy music with our specialist music teacher.

For further information see the Montessori web site:
www.montessori.org.uk
The Downs, Malvern College Prep, Brockhill Road, Colwall
MALVERN Worcestershire WR13 6EY
Tel: 01684 540277 Fax: 01684 540094
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