About Montessori

Comprehensive Montessori
School Programs

Tailored Education for Children in Salt Lake City

Montessori is an individualized approach to education that helps each child reach their full potential in all areas of life. It is a student-centered approach that encourages creativity and curiosity and leads children to ask questions, explore, investigate, and think for themselves as they acquire skills.

Our Montessori classroom is a child's world, tiered to the size, pace, and interests of boys and girls between 22 months to seven years. It is designed to put the child at ease by giving them freedom in an environment prepared with attractive materials arranged on low shelves, within easy reach of even the most minor child.

Enroll Your Child

"I have studied the child, I have taken what the child has given me, and expressed it, and that is what is called the Montessori Method."

- Maria M.

Maria Montessori died in Noodwijk, Holland, in 1952, but her work continues.

Montessori School Program Activities

Our Montessori Sessions are conducted in a prepared environment and consist of the following activities:

✓ Sensorial activities enhance and enlarge the child's sense of world perception.

✓ Practical life activities – child develops personal and social skills used in daily living.

✓ Reading and writing – the child learns correct letter enunciation and formation.

✓ Mathematics – introduction to counting and arithmetic.

✓ Geography – the child learns about the world's regions through geo-molds and puzzles.

✓ Science – exciting and fun activities that are "hands-on" and "teacher and child friendly."

Need more information? Call us at 801-467-7412 or send us an email to info@montessorisaltlake.com to speak with one of our friendly office staff members.

What is Montessori?

Over 100 years ago, Dr. Maria Montessori developed her education theory after observing young children and paying close attention to their learning.

Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori developed the Montessori method in the early 20th century. Based on the idea that children are naturally curious and allow exploring and learn in their way, with guidance from trained teachers.

The Montessori method has been studied and evaluated in various research studies. A meta-analysis of studies published in the journal Science Direct found that Montessori education positively affected cognitive and academic outcomes and social and emotional development (Lillard & Else-Quest, 2006).

Many educators and researchers have recognized the Montessori method as a successful educational approach, and it continues in schools worldwide.

Her pioneering work created a blueprint for educating children, from the learning disabled to the gifted, and helping children become self-motivated, independent lifelong learners.

Who was Maria Montessori?

Maria Montessori (1870-1952) was an Italian physician, educator, and innovator who developed the Montessori method of education. She was the first woman to graduate from the University of Rome La Sapienza medical school. Montessori went on to work as a physician and researcher in psychiatry and education. In 1907, she opened the first Montessori school, Casa dei Bambini (Children's House), in a low-income area of Rome. The school based its philosophy on Montessori's method, emphasizing child-centered learning, hands-on exploration, and self-directed activity.

Montessori believed that children naturally desire to learn and should be allowed to develop at their own pace in an environment that encourages independence, creativity, and exploration. Her educational approach emphasized the importance of providing children with opportunities to engage in purposeful activity and work with materials specifically designed to stimulate their senses and promote their cognitive and social development. Schools worldwide have since adopted the Montessori method, widely recognized as a highly effective approach to early childhood education.

A New Way of Learning

Maria Montessori developed her approach to education because she believed that traditional teaching methods did not adequately address the needs of individual children. She thought that children naturally desire to learn and should be allowed to develop at their own pace in an environment that encourages independence, creativity, and exploration.

Her work also influenced Montessori's approach to education as a physician and researcher in psychiatry and education. She observed that children who were given opportunities to engage in purposeful activity and who were allowed to explore their environment at their own pace showed more significant levels of satisfaction and engagement in their learning.

Montessori believed that education should focus on the development of the whole child, not just their academic abilities. She felt that children should be encouraged to develop their social, emotional, and physical skills and cognitive abilities.

Overall, Montessori developed her approach to education as a response to what she saw as the limitations of traditional education methods and to provide children with an environment that supports their natural curiosity and desire to learn.

Why Montessori?

Emphasis on cognitive and social development.
The teacher has a hidden role in the class.
Environment and method encourage self-discipline.
Mixed-age grouping encourages children to teach and help each other.
Children choose their work and discover concepts from self-teaching material.
The child works if he feels the need on a selected project.
Child spots their errors from the feedback of material which reinforces learning by feeling.
Multi-sensory materials for physical development
Organized program for learning care of oneself and the environment.
The child can work where he chooses, move around, and talk freely.
Emphasis on social development.
The teacher is the center of the class.
The teacher acts as the primary enforcer of discipline.
Same age grouping and most of the teaching is done by the teacher.
Curriculum structured for the child, and it is guided to concepts by the teacher.
Generally, the child is allotted specific time to work on a chosen project.
The teacher usually points out errors. Reinforcement of learning is by repetition of work and rewards of success.
Fewer materials for sensory exploration.
Less emphasis on self-care instructions.
The child is usually assigned a chair.