The Montessori Method at Golden Minds
At Golden Minds Montessori School in Newmarket, Ontario, every classroom is built on the Montessori method: a child-centred approach to early education that respects each child as a capable, curious learner. Here is what the Montessori method is, the principles behind it, and what it looks like for infants, toddlers and CASA children (ages 11 months to 6 years) in our school.
What is the Montessori method?
The Montessori method was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator, who opened her first Casa dei Bambini (Children's House) in Rome in 1907. Through careful scientific observation of children, she found that young children learn best when they are free to choose purposeful, hands-on activities in a carefully prepared environment, guided by a trained adult. More than a century later, Montessori education is practised in schools around the world.
The core principles of Montessori education
1. Respect for the child
Children are treated as individuals with their own pace, interests and personality. Teachers speak to children calmly and respectfully, offer real choices and avoid unnecessary interruptions.
2. The absorbent mind
Dr. Montessori observed that from birth to about age six, children absorb language, movement, culture and habits from their surroundings effortlessly. That is why the early years, and the environment children spend them in, matter so much.
3. Sensitive periods
Young children pass through windows of intense interest, for example in order, language, movement, small objects and social behaviour. Montessori teachers watch for these periods and offer the right activity at the right time.
4. The prepared environment
Montessori classrooms are calm, orderly and beautiful, with child-sized furniture and materials arranged on low, open shelves. Everything has its place, so children can find, use and return materials on their own.
5. Freedom within limits
Children choose their own work and move freely around the classroom, within clear, consistent ground rules that keep everyone safe and respected. This builds self-discipline, decision-making and responsibility.
6. Hands-on, self-correcting materials
Montessori materials are concrete and tactile, and many are self-correcting, so a child can see a mistake and try again without an adult stepping in. Abstract ideas, such as quantity, letters and shapes, are first explored with the hands.
7. Independence and practical life
From pouring water to dressing themselves and caring for plants, children practise real everyday skills. Our guiding idea, often summed up as "help me to do it myself", builds confidence, coordination and concentration.
8. Mixed-age learning communities
Montessori classrooms traditionally group children across an age range. Younger children learn by watching older friends, and older children consolidate their learning by helping others.
9. Observation and the role of the teacher
The Montessori teacher, traditionally called the Directress or guide, is the link between the child and the prepared environment. Rather than lecturing the whole group, teachers observe each child, present new materials one-on-one or in small groups, and adjust the environment to each child's needs.
10. Uninterrupted work periods
Children are given long, uninterrupted blocks of time to choose and repeat activities. Repetition and deep focus are how concentration and mastery develop.
The five areas of the Montessori curriculum
Practical Life: pouring, spooning, buttoning, food preparation, cleaning and caring for the classroom, plus grace and courtesy.
Sensorial: materials that refine the senses and teach size, colour, shape, texture, weight, sound and smell.
Language: vocabulary, conversation, phonetic sounds with sandpaper letters, and early reading and writing.
Mathematics: concrete materials such as number rods and golden beads that introduce counting, quantity and the decimal system.
Cultural studies: geography, science, nature, art and music that help children understand the wider world.
How Montessori differs from a traditional daycare
Child-led, not teacher-led: children choose activities that match their interests and stage, rather than everyone doing the same task at the same time.
Learning by doing: hands-on materials replace worksheets and rote memorisation.
Individual pace: each child moves on when they are ready, not when the calendar says so.
Whole-child development: social, emotional, cognitive and physical skills grow together.
Intrinsic motivation: the satisfaction of a task completed matters more than stickers or rewards.
Montessori at every age at Golden Minds
Infants: a safe, nurturing space for movement, exploration and secure relationships with caring educators.
Toddlers: a focus on independence, language, coordination and practical life skills as toddlers begin to do things for themselves.
CASA (Children's House): a full Montessori curriculum across practical life, sensorial, language, mathematics and culture that prepares children for school with confidence and curiosity.
Learn more about each Montessori program or see what a typical day looks like.
Visit a Montessori classroom in Newmarket
The best way to understand Montessori is to see it in action. Golden Minds Montessori School is at 355 Davis Dr, Newmarket, ON, and is enrolled in the CWELCC program, so eligible families pay reduced fees. Register your child or contact us at (905) 836-0606 to book a tour.