Montessori V Traditional
Although there are many high quality nurseries where creative daily programmes are followed, most do not follow a single philosophy of child development as does the Oval Montessori. The Montessori method is a complete integrated approach to childhood education based on a single individual's life work. Dr. Montessori's incredible insight and her scientific observations of children's development have proven accurate many times over, all around the world.
The 'secret' lies in the way the children are respected and the way their inner needs are met through a carefully prepared environment. The class is child-centred and not adult centred, however the adult/teacher plays a very important role in both preparing the classroom and guiding the children within that environment.
A montessori nursery is often quieter and calmer than a traditional nursery environment and we often get comments from visitors that the children are very well behaved! They ask us if we ever have discipline problems. Discipline usually comes from the child as self-discipline, which is learned in the Montessori environment through the use of the wonderful activities available every day. Re-direction to purposeful activity that meets a need of that child and inspires them to intense concentration, virtually eliminating the need for outward discipline.
Our nursery is full of happy children who are doing the activities that they want to do - activities that have been observed for more than 100 years as the things that all children like to do . Activities that help children grow, mature and become active participants in life.