PHILOSOPHY

Our philosophy at Blue House Children's Montessori is deeply rooted in our desire to honor each child's individuality. It is our belief and approach, through the Montessori method, that children with the freedom to choose their path within a prepared environment will naturally be drawn to the best fit for their developmental needs.

In our Montessori classroom, we prepare an environment that maintains the characteristics of order, beauty, clarity, open space, and accessibility. Children learn how to work independently with materials provided in the classroom. The Montessori materials available are arranged and frequently replenished to continue children's engagement in their environment.

Our materials and activities include math and counting materials, sandpaper letters, beginning reading materials, art making sessions, and practical life lessons. We enjoy a mixed age group. This allows not only individual pace in learning. It also allows natural interdependence as the older children may help guide the younger kids so the latter can understand and feel comfortable within a structured space.

At our warm and loving little school, we seek to really know every child, parent, and caregiver. It is essential for our teachers to cultivate a clear connection with your children so we’ll be able to honor their core needs for expression, love, and community. We will guide them on their journey of learning.

This philosophy is supported in part by theorists in human development. We use Abraham Maslow's Pyramid of the Hierarchy of Human Needs—a sense of belongingness, love, self- esteem, and achievement. In Psychology, Carl Rogers' work emphasizes the need of an individual to grow in an environment providing genuineness and acceptance. It also emphasizes the need for one to be seen with unconditional positive regard and empathy.

In early childhood education, Magda Gerber established a theory of child care based on respect and trust in developing infants to grow naturally at their own pace. Meanwhile, Marshall Rosenberg, a leader in communication, developed ideas of fully engaging a child with a compassionate heart. Empathy is directly taught and modeled for the growing child.

At the helm of our philosophy is Maria Montessori. Her work serves as a pioneer in understanding children. Their sense of inner self drives them to learn and meet their ultimate requirement—to be respected and honored for their individuality.

"...Children are human beings to who respect is due, superior to us by reason of their ‘innocence’ and of the greater possibilities of their future... Let us treat them.... with all the kindness which we would wish to help to develop in them."