Three Year Age Grouping
Montessori’s Visionary Pedagogy
Maria Montessori based her philosophy and method on a deep understanding of and respect for children. According to Montessori, children are living in a process of self-realization and discovery. The central feature of the Montessori Method, which energizes all the others, is the 3-year multiage classroom structure, based on general cycles of child development. In a Montessori classroom, children get the opportunity to be the youngest, the middle child and the eldest. The 3-year grouping adds stability to a classroom by preserving the memory of classroom traditions and rituals among the two-thirds of the students who return for their 2nd or 3rd year. This multiage structure helps orient children’s minds toward an appreciation of diversity.
The 3-year age grouping makes possible three important components which guide our daily work within the Montessori setting: Choice, Personal Connection, Collaborative Learning.
Choice
· guided discovery
· teacher as observer
· experiential learning
· integration of subjects
· differentiated follow-up work
· individual and group lessons
Personal Connection
· learning through the senses
· impressionistic lessons
· imaginative learning
· parent involvement
· freedom of movement
· trust and familiarity
Collaborative Learning
· peer teaching
· peer to peer mentoring
· multi-age lessons
· companionship
· give and take
· communication and cooperation
Countryside Montessori School looks forward to a continued relationship with each of its students and families, celebrating the uniqueness of all.
“The first duty of an education is to stir up life, but leave it free to develop.”
~ Maria Montessori
