Through the Lens of: Montessori
The world of Montessori teaching practices is vast and far-reaching, and over the years, many early years settings have enthusiastically adopted the teachings of Maria Montessori—including us! While we have our own pedagogy, The Inspire Philosophy, there are numerous aspects of the Montessori way of life from which we have drawn significant inspiration.
While everyone interprets information differently, the core of Montessori teaching remains the same: respecting children and giving them freedom of movement and choice is paramount to their holistic development. We firmly believe that the first six years of a child’s life are the most crucial. Our Inspire Philosophy aligns perfectly with Montessori pedagogy, which asserts that a rich early-year’s experience lays the strong foundation for a successful future for every child.
Our Environments
Our nursery environments have been meticulously curated to ensure they are not only enticing for children to explore but also promote independence and cater to each child's unique individual needs. One of the highest compliments we can receive is that our setting doesn’t ‘look’ like a traditional school environment. We believe this is because our spaces are designed to be neutral, calm, and warm—much like a cozy living room at home.
Creating tailored environments that children can navigate independently and that ignite their natural curiosity is one of the many meaningful ways we respect children as whole individuals. As caregivers and educators, our duty is to ensure that every child reaches their full potential. By thoughtfully incorporating aspects of Montessori practices into our own philosophies, we believe we are providing children with precisely that.
Since we often source our unique furniture second-hand, we give it new life in our nursery by carefully adjusting it to meet the needs of the children in our setting. Tables have their legs shortened, mirrors are placed low on the walls and oriented lengthwise for easy, child-height viewing. These simple yet effective adjustments that prioritize children’s comfort are a key aspect of successfully integrating the Montessori approach into early years practice.
Our Implementation
Our commitment to Montessori principles extends beyond the physical environment of our nursery. We offer a diverse range of play invitations designed to foster self-directed learning and encourage problem-solving skills, which are planned, presented, and carried out by our knowledgeable and creative teachers. By educating the ‘whole child’ in these ways, we continue to create an enriching early learning environment that aligns closely with Montessori beliefs.
At Kid’s Island, we have made it a top priority that for every child, those first six years of life will be the crucial stepping stone that carries them into their next journey in education. We give children the invaluable gift of resilience, perseverance, self-confidence, and a strong sense of belonging.
This is the heart of what we do.
F.A.Q:
What is the difference between nursery and Montessori?
The nursery is simply the learning environment – Montessori is a pedology that influences how and why we do things the way we do. In doing this, we ensure that our environments and teaching practice is tailored to meet the needs of the individual child.
What is the best age to start at a Montessori nursery?
While true, traditional Montessori practice begins at the age of three; at Kid’s Island we have found methods of adjusting our environments and teaching practices to benefit children from crawlers, to toddlers and to pre-school age children.
Is Montessori worth it?
In short – yes! Setting your child up with self-confidence, independence and a strong sense of self in their early years is a gift you can give them that will last a life-time.
What are the core beliefs of Montessori?
Respecting children, acknowledging the ‘absorbent mind’ in children’s first 6 years, educating the ‘whole’ child, allowing children freedom of movement and choice and building a child-centric environment.
