Lee
There’s nothing better than watching a child experience discovering something for themselves for the first time. Every day I get to experience the look of joy on a child’s face when they discover for example that adding two numbers together makes a new number! …or that they can put the letter sounds they have learnt together to make their own words! I love to see and hear children celebrating their achievements exclaiming, “I did it by myself!”
In the Montessori environment children are making new discoveries for themselves all the time and this can be referred to as “auto-education” or self-education. Auto education is based on the belief that children are capable and willing to teach themselves if they are provided with interesting learning stimulus. Montessori materials were developed to meet this need and empower children with the ability to direct their own education. As a Montessori educator, I work to provide a prepared environment, guidance, and encouragement for children to educate themselves.
I believe education is a lifelong journey that begins from the moment of birth. The early years are a critical period where the foundations of future development are laid.
I believe education should look at the whole child and is about constructing an understanding of each child as a unique individual across all domains – social, emotional, cognitive, spiritual, and physical, and recognising each child’s distinctive strengths and potentials.
I believe education is situated in multiple contexts and is dynamic.
I believe the school is a community where children learn through participating in real-life, meaningful tasks.
I believe the learning environment should be a carefully prepared space for the child, which is characterised by order, beauty, reality, simplicity, and accessibility, allowing freedom and responsibility. In such an environment, children can work and function independently and take ownership of their classroom where everything is suited to their size, strength, culture, and interests.
I believe school is a nourishing place for children, where the child’s learning is integrated. Subject matter is interrelated, and connections are promoted across different areas of learning and the processes of inquiry and problem solving are encouraged.
I believe in treating every child with respect, acknowledging, and building on their strengths. Encouraging and promoting independence, allowing children to develop a sense of agency by providing children with opportunities to make choices, to attempt tasks for themselves, and to take on increasing responsibilities, their sense of themselves as competent members of society grows.
“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel”
-Socrates