The following interview with a Montessori Directress was conducted for a regional magazine in June 2008.
Q: What is your role/title in the Montessori education system?
A: Owner/operater of two 3-6 Montessori classrooms and one 0-3 year olds for children and parent/caregiver.
Q: How does Montessori differ from Mainstream education?
A: Our program/curriculum is our prepared environment with a vast range of activities covering many areas. These are available to the children at all times to make their own choices of what they will work with and for what length of time. When required (in the case of a new child entering a classroom for the first time or a new piece of equipment is introduced) a staff member will conduct a one-to-one presentation with a child. The child is happy and calm because they are making choices and this is respected. Their independence grows and their confidence builds as they learn to do things for themselves. They direct their own learning which is observed and facilitated by staff. Instead of just paying lipservice to meeting children's individual needs this 'prepared environment' actually allows it. The majority of activities are self-correcting, packing up and putting away is presented as part of the activity and children from the ages of 2 and 3 are in a stage of development when they easily absorb these practices. The environment and the child are the focus – not the teacher.
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