The Montessori School
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What is Montessori Education?
Montessori education, founded by Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 20th century, is a child-centered, hands-on approach to elementary education fostering independence and a love of learning. It encourages self-directed learning in a thoughtfully prepared environment that respects a child’s natural developmental stages.
Key Principles:
- Hands-On Learning Materials - Specially designed materials promote self-correction, allowing children to learn from their own mistakes.
- Child-Centered Learning - Students choose activities based on their interests, enabling independence and supporting intrinsic motivation.
- Mixed-Age Classrooms - Children work with peers of different ages, supporting mentorship and reinforcing learning.
What Makes Montessori Unique?
Montessori education is more than just academics. It nurtures the whole child—emotionally, socially, and cognitively—ensuring a well-rounded foundation for success in all areas of life.
Activities are designed to develop essential life skills, such as problem-solving, responsibility, and emotional regulation. In a thoughtfully prepared environment, classrooms foster exploration, independence, and an appreciation for beauty and order.
Students are motivated to learn for the joy of learning itself, without depending on external rewards. Each child’s progress is carefully observed and guided, ensuring that lessons are tailored to meet each child’s developmental needs and ensuring students meet state standards.
Montessori Materials and the Role of the Guide
Montessori classrooms feature specially designed materials that engage the senses and support cognitive development. These materials are used to help students discover abstract concepts through concrete experiences.
- Montessori Materials - From practical life tools to complex math manipulatives, these materials help students develop skills at their own pace.
- The Guide’s Role - The Montessori guide (teacher) is a facilitator, observer, and role model who guides learning to each child’s interests and developmental needs. Guides are PA state certified teachers with additional years of specialized Montessori training and certification.
TMS at a Glance
The Montessori School (TMS) has been a vibrant independent school since 1970, providing an inclusive and supportive educational environment for Toddlers through Upper Elementary children. We emphasize both academic excellence and emotional development, fostering respect for diversity among our students.
TMS is accredited by the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) and the American Montessori Society (AMS), and holds memberships with NAIS, ADVIS, and AMI.
Our student population spans Montgomery, Bucks, and Philadelphia counties, with graduates attending leading private and public schools.
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