The Montessori Method
At UC our focus is on providing enriching, stimulating and inspirational educational experiences for all students. We are committed to quality programming, curriculum innovations and personalized education. We see each child as a unique learner, capable of drawing upon their strengths, prior knowledge and natural curiosity. We believe in purpose-driven education that has Literacy, Mathematics, Natural and Social Sciences and the Arts as the critical subject areas. Getting our students ready for the advanced programme in grades 1-8 takes thoughtful consideration. We want them to succeed and be academically prepared for our high standards and expectations. This is why our early years’ programme (ages 3-5) is of paramount importance.
Following the Montessori philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori, the Montessori Method upholds that education during the formative years is crucial to a child’s development and future success.
The Montessori method of education lays its foundation on the principle that education during the formative years, aided by an absorbent mind and sensitive periods, is crucial to a child’s development and future success. Dr. Montessori suggested the creation of a specially prepared environment offering child-size furniture and manipulative, hand-held objects to help children learn through their senses. All classroom items are richly textured and aesthetically pleasing. At our Montessori School in Markham, children are encouraged to be observant of their surroundings. Through interactions with their environment and each other, children learn about their world and themselves.
The Montessori environment also promotes the creation of an environment that not only respects the child’s drive for movement, but harnesses it and uses it to aid academic learning. In traditional classrooms, movement is discouraged, but the Montessori environment helps foster careful and controlled movement. Purposeful movement in the classroom helps the child develop self-discipline and self-control. When movement is part of the learning activity, children are focused and engaged, which results in deeper understanding.
Year-Ahead Ontario Curriculum
Montessori stands apart from traditional education by allowing students to develop a meaningful degree of independence and self-discipline. Activities are designed to be self-correcting, which reduces the need for teacher correction. Children are able to learn from their own mistakes, which helps them develop self-confidence, independence, and self-reliance.
A Montessori approach to education in the pre-school years (2 to 6 yrs. old), prepares children to be engaged and active participants in their own education.