Ridgefield Montessori School

The Montessori curriculum focuses on the development of the whole child which includes their intellectual development. The goal of a good Montessori program is the integration of the childs personality and the organization of his/her thought process. This provides the basis for later academic success, and is accomplished through direct experiences with meaningful activities and materials. To quote Dr. Montessori, Develop interest rather than give facts.

Young children have amazing mental concentration if given activities and material that fulfill their need to grow and discover themselves. Given the choice, children will prefer meaningful work to play. When a young child has a positive experience with the process, it influences him/her for the rest of their life.

The Montessori classroom should not be graded, permitting the children to learn according to their ability and not forcing them to keep up with the group. No grades are given; the childrens accomplishments are their reward.

We allow each child to experience the excitement of learning by his/her own choice, and he/she will maximize their potential to become an independent, secure, loving and balanced human being.

Children literally absorb knowledge from their environment. Therefore, if the environment is enriched with special materials suited to their needs, children will learn easily and joyfully. Children can learn to read, write and work with numbers in the same natural way that they learn to walk and talk.