Centre Philosophy
The staff and management at Mojo Montessori Early Learning Centre, have made a professional commitment to providing a warm and nurturing Early Childhood environment. We believe that through understanding, determination and dedication we can build upon the wonder and excitement in every child’s development and unique learning style. Combined with Montessori practices, the centre uses PLAY as the significant tool in extending children’s development, play that is child focused, interactive and based on their developmental stage, needs and interests. Play within our centre is fun, engaging children with experiences that enhance the exploration of their world around them.
We believe in providing a secure environment where respect extends through children, families, staff and management and the community. Our educational philosophy is VALUE based: we value differences and independence. Collectively we aim to teach all children the concepts of fairness and equity, feelings of empathy and understanding of themselves and each other; encouraging children, families and staff to have the self-confidence in advocacy: for themselves and others against bias and discrimination. The centre encourages problem solving and the teaching of skills that will stay with children for a lifetime, not just the day.
In our role as Educators, we strive to establish and maintain an environment where all children experience learning that is engaging and builds success for life, an environment where children are free to create and explore. As children engage in their environment, they teach others so adults and children learn together as partners.
We believe in fostering friendships and open lines of communication with families and the community. The centre acknowledges that every staff member and family within our setting brings new experiences, new values, unique qualities, traditions and customs, enhancing our Early Childhood programs and the relationships we build with every child. We welcome and embrace all cultures, beliefs and ideas that families bring. They assist us in building truly magical learning environments for every child in our care.
Benefits of the Montessori Method:
In embracing the Montessori method, we believe we can provide even more opportunities to your child - the following may help to explain the benefits of our Montessori environment especially for Kindergarten children:
1. Focuses on Key Developmental Stages
A Montessori curriculum focuses on key developmental milestones in children between the ages of three and five-years-old. Younger children focus on honing large muscle and language skills. Four-year-olds work on fine motor skills and completing everyday activities, such as cooking and arts and crafts. Older preschoolers broaden their learning experience to their communities, through learning about different countries and occupations. This may also be enhanced by trips and special events for the older children so they start to experience the world around them.
2. Encourages Cooperative Play
Because the teacher does not “run” the classroom all of the time, children guide the activities they do throughout the day. This encourages them to share and work cooperatively to explore the various stations in the Montessori classroom. Children in Montessori classrooms, by the very nature of the environment, learn to respect one another and build a sense of community.
3. Learning Is Child-Centered
Montessori preschool students enjoy a classroom and curriculum designed around their specific needs and abilities that allows them to explore and learn at their own pace and on their own terms. Everything in the classroom is within reach of the child, and furniture is sized for children to sit comfortably. In addition, older children in the class work with the younger ones, so mentoring comes as much from peers as it does from the adult teachers in the classroom.
4. Children Naturally Learn Self-Discipline
While the Montessori Method allows children to choose the activities they want to work on each day, and how long they will work at a specific task, there are specific “ground rules” for the class that are consistently enforced by the teacher and other students. This environment naturally teaches children self-discipline, and it refines important skills like concentration, self-control and motivation.
5. Classroom Environment Teaches Order
All objects and activities have precise locations on the shelves of a Montessori classroom. When children are finished with an activity, they place items back into their appropriate places. This sense of order helps facilitate the learning process, teaches self-discipline, and caters to a young child’s innate need for an orderly environment. When children work and play in an area that is neat and predictable, they can unleash their creativity and focus fully on the learning process.
6. Teachers Facilitate the Learning Experience
Teachers in the Montessori classroom are “guides” that are there to facilitate the learning experience, rather than determine what it will look like. Teachers take the lead from the children in the classroom, ensure the ground rules are followed, and encourage students to perform tasks at their own pace. However, teachers do not determine the pace of the classroom – that is strictly up to individual students, as teachers strive to remain as unobtrusive as possible, while remaining available to help at all times.
7. Learning Method Inspires Creativity
Since children are allowed to choose their activities and work at them on their own terms, creativity in the classroom is encouraged. Children work at tasks for the joy of the work, rather than the end result, which allows them to focus more on process than result – a natural path to creativity. Exposure to a wide variety of cultures also encourages children to broaden their thinking about the world and address those concepts in a variety of ways.
8. May be More Effective in Developing Certain Skills
Studies overseas have revealed that five-year-olds in Montessori classrooms had higher math and reading skills than their counterparts in non-Montessori centres. And in some case, in older children, social development appeared to be higher in Montessori students.
9. System is Highly Individualised to Each Student
Children in the Montessori programme are allowed to explore activities and concepts at their own pace. This naturally encourages children to try more challenging areas, which accelerates their learning experience. Learning occurs at a comfortable pace for each student, rather than inflicting the same rate on every student in a classroom.
10. Curriculum Focused on Hands-On Learning
One of the greatest benefits of the Montessori Method, particularly during the early learning experience, is the focus on hands-on learning. The emphasis is on concrete, rather than abstract learning, as students work on activities that teach language, math, culture and practical life lessons. Teachers encourage students to concentrate on tasks, and they discourage students from interrupting one another, allowing students to focus on activities until they are properly mastered.
There are many potential benefits of a Montessori Preschool for children just starting out in the education process. These important early years prepare a student for the learning experience that is to come, whether they continue with the Montessori Method or move to a traditional classroom environment in the future.
We truly look forward to the relationships we will share with your child and family and are excited to help the children in our care discover the magic of learning - showing them the path of learning for life.
With Best Regards from all Staff and Management
