What is Montessori Learning?

All of our learning materials have been selected with the knowledge that every child is capable of wonderful things. As soon as a baby is born and they are taking in their new world through their senses, they are telling us "I want to know everything there is to know!". Our toys are chosen support maintain this thirst for learning during your child's important early months and years through activities which are, in part, inspired by the Montessori approach to early learning.

​

​​​​​​​What is Montessori all about?

The 'Montessori Method' is an approach to learning developed by Italian physician Dr Maria Montessori over 100 years ago. Through her work with young children she observed that by focusing the following key factors, the children became more deeply engaged and achieved learning nobody had previously expected of those at such a young age....

​

•  Providing real child-sized objects that work

• Creating a beautiful and organised environment

• Allowing children to take responsibility

• Use of all the senses to explore 

• Adults who observe and 'direct' rather than instruct

​

​ Montessori learning today is based on putting the child at the centre of their learning and respects their interests, needs and character. Children are given freedom (within reasonable boundaries) to make choices about what they play with and for how long. Every child is considered to be capable of achieving great things and able to learn independently as long as they are provided with the right environment and materials.

​​​​

What are 'Montessori Materials'?

Maria Montessori developed a range of very specific learning materials used in her schools and still used today in Montessori schools and nurseries around the world. Each item has a very specific learning aim which enables a child to really focus on a concept or skill without being distracted. For example, the 'Pink Tower' is a set of pink wooden cubes ranging from 1cm to 10cms cubed. they are all exactly the same except for the size which helps a child to focus entirely on the idea of size without also having to think about colours, shapes, patterns etc. 

​​​​

How will my child benefit from play which follows the Montessori approach?​

Young children who are exposed to the Montessori method of learning can expect to develop high levels of independence, concentration and confidence in their own abilities. They will learn that when they are shown the respect and given time and space to explore something new, experiences begin to make sense and new connections in their brain are formed quickly. 

​

How can I use this approach with my baby or toddler?​

Although the original Montessori approach and materials were developed for older children (from 3+), by providing babies and toddlers with toys and experiences and attitudes which align with the philosophy, you will be setting up your little one to grow into a confident, independent learner.

Play which involves the senses, encourages motor development and exposure to the natural world are all essential stepping stones to future learning. The key difference between Montessori and other learning styles is not actually the toys you provide, it is much more about how your little one experiences them. So things like setting up a calm play area, not interfering when your child is exploring something and trusting in them to make choices are just some of the methods you can use to support your little one to thrive in their learning right from the start.

​​​

Head over to the Blog  to learn more about how

children learn using the Montessori method.

 

​