Why choose the Montessori approach for your child's education?

Montessori pedagogy, developed by Maria Montessori at the beginning of the XXᵉ century, is a child-centered educational approach that encourages autonomy and self-fulfillment. It is based on several fundamental principles that aim to respect the rhythm and needs of each child. The école M, which is partly based on Montessori pedagogy, is committed to passing on its methods.

Key Principles of Montessori Pedagogy and its Application from 0-3 Years Old

The Montessori method is based on essential principles that promote a child's development from birth. It emphasizes:

• A Prepared Environment: The space is arranged to create an atmosphere conducive to discovery, autonomy, and sensory learning from the very first months. There are dedicated, child-sized shelves where specific materials for each activity are located.
• Specific materials and real objects: children primarily handle objects made of wood, metal, ceramic, or even seeds and sand, rather than plastic. There are many Montessori sensory games designed to develop motor skills and stimulate awakening.
• Respect for the child's pace, self-discipline, and concentration: children choose their activities and work, and can move freely. Each child develops at their own pace and learns according to their abilities. The way activities are arranged in different learning areas supports this freedom of choice.

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Discover the origin and key elements of the Montessori method.

Concrete examples of this active teaching method

In practice, the Montessori teaching method is implemented through various activities tailored to children's ages.

Two of our Montessori schools fully implement the Montessori teaching method.

How are classes organized within the Montessori teaching method?

The organization of classes in the Montessori teaching method differs from the traditional system in France. Children are grouped by age ranges (0-3 years and 3-6 years) and learn in specific environments tailored to their development. Educators, whom the Montessori method refers to as 'guides,' observe and support children in their learning without imposing a top-down approach.

The Children's Community (0-3 years)

Children up to 3 years of age evolve in a space called the "communauté enfantine", which corresponds to the equivalent of the beginning of a first year of preschool. This environment fosters autonomy and motor skills through practical and sensory activities. Activities include :

• Daily care activities: washing hands, getting dressed, buttoning clothes, setting the table.
• Motor skill development: manipulating objects, artistic activities, and coordination exercises.
• Outdoor activities: gardening, observing nature, planting seeds.
• Language learning: songs, stories, and interactions with educators.

A kitchen and dining area is set up to teach children how to use their silverware and sit at the table. An area dedicated to sleeping and changing enables them to gradually acquire continence. At école M, we welcome children to the children's community from the age of 2.

The Children's House (3-6 years)

Children aged 3 to 6 then join the Children's House, which brings together children of different preschool and kindergarten levels. This mix of ages promotes:

• Cooperation and mutual support among children
• Mutual respect and the development of social relationships.
• A natural progression where younger children observe and learn from older ones, and older children develop a sense of responsibility by guiding their younger peers.

In this environment, learning becomes more complex and is organized into work areas, using specific educational materials that help children acquire the skills needed for primary school (CP):

• Mathematics: Montessori beads, number rods, sandpaper numerals.
• Language: sandpaper letters, reading boxes, phonics games.
• Science and Botany: insect observation, plant classification, simple scientific experiments.
• Practical Life and Sensorial: pouring activities, sewing, exploration of textures and shapes.

The goal of Montessori education is to respect each child's natural development while providing a structured environment to help them progress at their own pace.

Discover École M, the reference in Montessori pedagogy

At École M, we apply Montessori principles to provide a caring and stimulating environment for every child. Our qualified educators accompany children in their development, respecting their rhythm and needs. By integrating Montessori methods into our teaching, we help each child to become an autonomous and fulfilled learner.

In conclusion, Montessori pedagogy offers an alternative to traditional education by placing the child at the center of his or her learning. L'École M is a major player in Montessori pedagogy, guaranteeing an optimal learning environment for young children. Find out more about our vision and programs on our website , or book a videoconference with our admissions manager to find out more.

To learn more about the Montessori method, you can also consult the resources on the Association Montessori Internationale website, which provides detailed information on this active approach to education.