WHY MELC?

CHARACTERISTICS OF A QUALITY MONTESSORI PROGRAM

Internationally recognised Montessori organizations, like Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and

Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) agree that a quality Montessori program should exhibit the following key characteristics.

  • A daily schedule that allows large blocks of uninterrupted time to explore, learn new ideas, problem-solve, and make connections in knowledge.
  • Multi-aged classrooms reflecting the different Montessori planes of development.
  • Through lessons on grace, curtsey, and peace, create a classroom atmosphere which encourages social interaction for cooperative learning, peer teaching, and emotional development.
  • Classroom environments offer a diverse set of Montessori materials, activities, and experiences which are designed to foster physical, intellectual, creative, social, and personal independence.
  • Leads educated in the Montessori philosophy and methodology for the age level they are teaching, who have the ability and dedication to put the key concepts into practice.
  • A partnership established with the family. The family is considered an integral part of the individual's total development.

CHARACTERISTICS OF MELC PROGRAMS

We have taken care to ensure our programming is true to the Montessori philosophy and its objectives by incorporating these guiding characteristics.

  • Our daily schedule allows for two uninterrupted learning periods, when children explore the Montessori curriculum, learn new ideas, problem-solve, and make connections in knowledge.
  • Our classrooms are multi-aged with children aged 3 to 6 years old, which is reflective of the Montessori ‘Conscious Absorbent Mind’ sub-plane of development.
  • An integral part of our teaching are lessons on grace, curtsey and peace. Our classrooms are calm and encourage respectful social interactions and cooperative learning between the children.
  • Our program includes two beautifully prepared classrooms and an equally wonderful outdoor learning area. Our learning environments offer a diverse set of Montessori materials, activities, and experiences that foster physical, intellectual, creative, and social development, including personal independence.
  • Our Montessori Leads hold a Montessori Early Childhood Diploma and have, collectively, dedicated over 30 years teaching young children using the Montessori Method.
  • Our holistic approach to child development and learning includes forming and nurturing strong relationships with our parent community. Parents play a very important role in supporting their child’s Montessori journey and we host several parent events to encourage and foster this each program year.