The goal of Healdsburg Montessori is to provide a stimulating educational environment that will help our children develop within themselves the foundation for a lifetime love for learning.

This love for learning is the basic idea behind the Montessori Philosophy. Founder Maria Montessori believed that the goal of early childhood education should be to cultivate the child's own natural desire to learn. She developed an innovative philosophy and method based on this simple idea.

THE KEY PRINCIPLES OF THIS PHILOSOPHY ARE:

The Child

The guiding principle in each classroom is "freedom within limits"

In the Montessori classroom we acknowledge that children are all different. We respect their individuality and liberty of growth. Children are not pressured to follow the pace of the teachers or the other students. Instead, they work directly with the materials and develop their own intrinsic desire for knowledge.

The Teacher

The Montessori teacher is viewed as a guide to the discovery of knowledge.

The teacher guides the child's activity in the environment. She is the vital link between the children and the environment, presenting the materials to facilitate discovery. The teacher is constantly aware of each child's individual needs and goals and actively seeks ways to help them attain their goals.

The Prepared Environment

The first aim of the prepared environment is, as far as possible, to render the growing child independent of the adult.

The Montessori classroom is designed as an environment to facilitate maximum exploration and independence by the child. In the peaceful and ordered classroom, children work on activities of their own choice at their own pace. This gives them a sense of freedom and self-discipline designed to meet their developmental needs.

The Materials

In the Montessori classroom colorful materials are attractively displayed on low shelves, inviting children to work with them.

Most materials are self-correcting, and the children can realize their error without assistance. The children are able to solve problems independently, which builds self-confidence and analytical thinking.