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The Montessori method

“Help me do it myself”: Empowering children through freedom and guidance

The Montessori method is based on the scientific assumption that children are naturally good and curious and engage instinctively in self-construction in a supportive environment. Giving children freedom and support allows them to follow their interests while creating valuable learning experiences, helping each other, and learning from each other. At Nautilus, we are all trained to support children’s natural development and prepare the classrooms to achieve this.

Maria Montessori introduced new terms and expressions that epitomise her approach to education. Understanding their meaning allows us to grasp the authentic essence of her method.

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The child is the real teacher

Maria Montessori believed in children’s intrinsic motivation and independence. Children are not passive recipients of information. They are curious, capable individuals who actively engage in their environment, building their knowledge and understanding. They can make their own choices in an atmosphere of mutual trust with adults. It’s the children’s interests that guide their learning.

    The prepared environment

    The Montessori approach to education entails a prepared environment – an intentionally calming, natural, and aesthetically pleasing setting – based on the children’s physical and psychological needs and development stage. This helps them build self-confidence and independence while stimulating their curiosity and drive to learn and explore, using their senses and real objects.

      The sensitive periods

      The Montessori method is based on what she called the sensitive periods. These periods are windows of opportunity during which children are more receptive and inclined to learn and develop in specific areas. This easy, spontaneous learning period is brief and ends when a skill is acquired. Close observation helps identify a child’s interests and learning pace and find the best moment to introduce a new concept or activity.

        The Montessori guides

        In a Montessori environment, an adult’s role is to reveal every child’s hidden potential. Montessori educators are called guides because they guide children in spontaneous activities, observing their interests and development pace. Guides establish clear boundaries, but children are free to choose whatever they like within those boundaries. This respectful attitude of adults towards children is essential because it makes them feel safe and eager to learn without being afraid of making mistakes.

          Montessori materials

          Montessori materials are often described as an “aid to life”. This vision is based on the idea that children are naturally active learners. That’s why all materials are sensory, concrete, and manipulable and meet their needs in the various development stages. These materials allow children to discover the characteristics of the surrounding environment and learn concepts and properties that are carefully selected to encourage independence and self-correction.

            The curriculum

            Maria Montessori identified four stages – or planes – in a person’s development from birth to adulthood. Each plane has its characteristics, and human tendencies vary over the course of life. From a holistic point of view, the Montessori method is built around the characteristics of each stage in life, considering all physical, emotional, and intellectual aspects. In our school, we take care of the first plane of development, spanning from birth to 6 years. It’s the “Teach me how to do it on my own” period, when a child goes from being a spiritual embryo to an absorbent mind to later become a conscious worker ready to move on to the next plane.