What is Montessori?

Using her scientific approach and observations, Maria Montessori, a physician and educational philosopher, formulated her educational methodology based on the natural stages of human development. She described these stages as “planes of development.”

The first plane of development occurs from birth to age 6. At this age, children are sensorial explorers, studying every aspect of their environment, their language, and their culture. We divide the plane into two parts. The first part being devoted to 0-3 year olds, where infants transition through toddlerhood. The second stage focuses on the 3-6 year olds. This level in Montessori is called “Children’s House”. The child’s development during these two periods prepares the child for the next phase, the elementary years.

The importance of the three-year cycle becomes clear during Children’s House. In order to meet each child’s needs, the notion of a linear progression must be abandoned. These mixed aged groups (for example, 3-6 year olds, 6-9 year olds, 9-12 year olds) offer an enriched and vital environment for learning. Children work with others, both older and younger. The older children assist the younger students with lessons, and in so doing increase their own self-confidence. They become role models for the younger students in the class. An environment that embraces language, moves from concrete to abstract and helps children to understand their unique place in the world coincides with their own personal development and readiness. We trust in the phrase, “follow the child” and realize that nurture and guidance is required to create a learner for life.

From ages 6 to 12, children become more conceptual explorers. They develop new powers of abstraction and imagination and apply their knowledge to expand their world. Children at this level have a strong sense of connection with others and have high ideals and aspirations for themselves and their community (family, school, and the greater world).

The Montessori environment prepares children for each successive developmental plane. It allows them to take responsibility for their own education, giving them the opportunity to make choices and become fully resourceful human beings. Stepping Stones Montessori provides children freedom with responsibility. We strive for children to become independent learners with a global perspective of life and the world.

This provides the basis for the rationale for the three-year cycle. Materials are available for children as they transition from level to level. Our goal is to provide developmentally appropriate materials and environments for children as they follow a personalized path to achieve their own potential.