Why choose Montessori 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.

The key principles of Montessori pedagogy and its application from 0-3 years of age

The Montessori Method is based on essential principles that promote children's development from birth. It focuses on :

• A prepared environment: the space is designed to create an atmosphere conducive to discovery, autonomy and sensory learning from the very first months. Dedicated, child-sized shelves house the specific materials for each activity.
• Specific materials and real objects : children mostly manipulate objects made of wood, metal or ceramic, or even seeds and sand, rather than plastic. There are many Montessori early-learning games for working on motor skills and awakening the senses.
• Respect for children's rhythms, self-discipline and concentration: children choose their own activities and work, and can move around freely. Each child develops at his or her own pace and learns according to his or her abilities. The layout of activities in different learning areas encourages this freedom of choice.

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Discover the origins and key elements of the Montessori method.

Concrete examples of this active teaching approach

In practice, Montessori pedagogy is applied through a variety of activities adapted to children's ages.

Two of our Montessori schools are 100% Montessori.

How are Montessori classes organized?

The organization of Montessori classrooms differs from that of the conventional system in France. Children are grouped into age brackets (0-3 and 3-6) and live in specific environments adapted to their development. Teachers, whom Montessori compares to "guides", observe and accompany children as they learn, without imposing vertical learning.

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 :

• Everyday care: washing hands, getting dressed, putting on buttons, setting the table.
• Motor skills development: object handling, artistic activities and coordination.
• Outdoor activities: gardening, nature observation, seed planting.
• Language learning: songs, stories and exchanges 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.

La Maison des Enfants (3-6 years)

Children aged 3 to 6 then move on to the Maison des Enfants, which groups together the petite section, moyenne section and grande section levels. This age mix encourages :

• Cooperation and mutual aid between children
• Mutual respect and the development of social relations.
• A natural progression in which the youngest observe and learn from the oldest, and the oldest are empowered by the presence of the youngest.

In this environment, learning becomes more complex and is organized into work areas, with specific teaching materials enabling children to acquire the skills needed to enter CP :

• Mathematics: Montessori beads, number bars, rough numbers.
• Language: rough letters, reading boxes, phonetic games.
• Science and botany: insect observation, plant classification, simple scientific experiments.
• Practical and sensory activities: decanting, sewing, exploring textures and shapes.

The aim of Montessori pedagogy is to respect the natural development of each child, while providing a structured framework 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 find out more about Montessori pedagogy, you can also consult the resources at Association Montessori Internationale, which provides detailed information on this active pedagogy.