Montessori philosophy and methodology is comprised of several components, each one combining to make the classrooms at TMA ones in which your child will find joy and the opportunity to develop their best selves.
Planes of Development
Dr. Maria Montessori identified four distinct periods of growth, development and learning that a human being progresses through. Dr. Montessori considered the “Four Planes of Human Development” as follows:
Ages 0 – 6 is the period of the “absorbent mind” when the child is taking in everything from their environment through listening, observing and imitating.
Ages 6 – 12 is the period of reasoning and abstraction. The elementary classroom community allows for collaborative work characteristic of the child in the second plane. Children become active participants in their learning with freedoms within the structured environment. These choices foster an intrinsic love of learning, independence and self-confidence.
Ages 12 – 18 finds the adolescent with a deep desire to create their “social self,” develop personal values and become emotionally independent. Group work in this plane helps students use their innate desire to socialize in a productive way and guides them toward finding their own place in society.
Ages 18 – 24 is the time during which young adults construct a deep understanding of the self and use the tools they’ve developed to embark on the path toward making their unique contributions to the world around them
Ages 0 – 6 is the period of the “absorbent mind” when the child is taking in everything from their environment through listening, observing and imitating.
Ages 6 – 12 is the period of reasoning and abstraction. The elementary classroom community allows for collaborative work characteristic of the child in the second plane. Children become active participants in their learning with freedoms within the structured environment. These choices foster an intrinsic love of learning, independence and self-confidence.
Ages 12 – 18 finds the adolescent with a deep desire to create their “social self,” develop personal values and become emotionally independent. Group work in this plane helps students use their innate desire to socialize in a productive way and guides them toward finding their own place in society.
Ages 18 – 24 is the time during which young adults construct a deep understanding of the self and use the tools they’ve developed to embark on the path toward making their unique contributions to the world around them
Multi-age Classroom
In accordance with Montessori philosophy and methodology, all of our classrooms are multi-age which allows every student the opportunity to experience being a both new to and then a leader in their classroom communities. Older students become mentors to their younger peers, and develop a strong sense of responsibility for their environments and their classmates. Academic understanding and social constructs deepen in students when they are allowed to become guides to younger students. Through three year cycles, meaningful relationships can form between students, teachers, and parents in a way that a traditional school setting can’t accommodate. We know that strong relationships, with each child’s development and well-being at the center, are crucial to providing the best outcomes for all of our students
