Certified Montessori
At Spring Valley, we are pleased to be Montessori. Learn more about the Montessori philosophy and our accreditation on this page.
What is Montessori?
“Montessori” refers to the work of Dr. Maria Montessori. In the early 1900s, she observed young children at play and noted that given self-directed activities, children freely regulated themselves and their world into a peaceful, orderly system of learning. Her observations eventually led to a style of teaching and classroom management that empowers children to own their learning through exploration and inquiry. Given the time and freedom to question, experiment, and make connections in mixed-age classrooms, Montessori students develop independence and personal accountability while learning to navigate interpersonal relationships.
A Montessori Classroom
Montessori classrooms may look different than what you are accustomed to seeing. Whereas traditional classrooms are generally teacher directed, a Montessori classroom is child-centric. Materials are well-ordered and kept at the child’s level, allowing children to move about the classroom freely, discovering and learning without interruption. Children learn by interacting with materials directly instead of through lectures. Most Montessori classrooms are of mixed ages and filled with natural materials appropriate for both the age of the child and the learning concept.
The Role of Teachers
In a Montessori classroom, teachers take on the role of facilitator, preparing the environment for optimal learning and guiding the child through the learning process. Teachers ask thought-provoking questions and provide encouragement as children explore and make connections. They observe each child’s natural tendencies, interests, and abilities to provide individualized support.