Montessori education is the study of human development from birth to maturity. The Montessori method is a unique blend of philosophy, psychology, educational theory and prepared environment that develops all aspects of a child’s potential. In addressing the needs of the whole child, Montessori education presents challenging academic work for the head and the hand, as well as a preparation for life as a citizen of a dynamic, complex world.
Near North Montessori is committed to furthering the rights of all children. The faculty creates specific, prepared environments in which a child’s personality and potential may unfold. The children are given opportunities to make decisions and choices to develop their judgment and will. This ability to provide children opportunities to make decisions and choices is based upon an appropriate balance of freedom and responsibility for each child.
It is an integral part of the Montessori philosophy that classes are structured in three-year age groupings. Children thereby experience an academic and social milieu that is diversified and stimulating. Multi-age groupings allow more opportunities for social cooperation and academic exchanges.
Since the child’s first environment is the home and the second is the school, collaboration between home and school is essential for the child’s success.
Near North Montessori believes in and bases its practices on the following ideas:
- The purpose of education is to nurture the energies of childhood – intellectual, physical, emotional, moral, and spiritual – so that every member of the human race can make a positive contribution to the world and work toward human solidarity, social progress, and peace.
- Education is not limited solely to the academic curriculum; it includes the development of essential attributes such as curiosity, empathy, creativity, self-discipline, independence, responsibility, leadership, and civility.
- All children deserve the best possible conditions at every stage of their development.
- All children, in the best possible educational conditions, develop creative and flexible minds, easily adapted to the complexities of human society.
- All children, in the best possible educational conditions, demonstrate discipline, joyful, tireless, and focused work.
With this guiding philosophy at the core of all that we do, Near North Montessori works to educate the human potential.