Montessori was herself amazed at the abilities of young children aged two and three years old. In her environment, she discovered that they were able to absorb concrete materials using all their senses simultaneously, a unique ability soon lost. She called these times of special absorption “Sensitive Periods” and developed specific materials for that time. As the child grows, these periods change, yet the continuum is set in motion for the rest of the child’s life. Therefore, the early years are the most important yet most neglected in many societies. Starting a child at two and a half or three in a good Montessori environment with well-trained teachers can have results that will remain with the child all her life. The toddler program (beginning at 18 months) is a one-year head start to help the child grasp the concepts of the Montessori classroom so the child will enter into the preschool understanding the ground rules and the work cycle. The Montessori program that starts in preschool is a three-year program. The child will receive the greatest benefit if all three years are completed beginning at the age of three and finishing with Kindergarten or age six.

An advantage of the Montessori approach—including multi-age classrooms with students of varying abilities and interests—is that it allows each child to work at his or her own pace. Students whose strengths and interests propel them to higher levels of learning can find intellectual challenge without being separated from their peers. The same is true for students who may need extra guidance and support, including students with special needs such as ADHD, learning differences, and autism spectrum disorders: each can progress through the curriculum at her own comfortable pace, without feeling pressure to “catch up.”

From a Montessori perspective, every child is considered gifted, each in their own way. Every child has unique strengths and interests that the Montessori environment nurtures and supports.

Montessori classrooms follow a three-year age span. The Toddler classroom is comprised of 1.6-2.5 year olds and the Primary includes 2.5-6 year olds.

This arrangement allows teachers and students to develop a close working relationship. Teachers can observe students’ personal and academic development and provide the necessary nurturing and guidance for them to maximize their learning experience. Students proceed at their individual pace and attain appropriate goals.

A mixed-age environment welcomes students to share knowledge and experience in roles as both learner and teacher. This opportunity is ever-present and offers students the ability to participate based on their interests, skills, and life experiences.

Although students are free to work at their own pace, they’re not going it alone. The Montessori teacher closely observes each child and provides materials and activities that advance his learning by building on skills and knowledge already gained. This gentle guidance helps each child master the challenge at hand—and protects him from moving on before he’s ready, which is often what causes children to “fall behind.” Each child is challenged appropriately in each area of the curriculum to ensure that skills and competencies are fully developed and that the child is able to pursue his own unique interests.

Montessori schools teach the same basic skills as traditional schools, and offer a rigorous academic program. Most of the subject areas are familiar—such as math, science, history, geography, and language—but they are presented through an integrated approach that weaves separate strands of the curriculum together.

While studying a map of India, for example, students may explore the art, history, and inventions of several Indian states.Children can identify the state which they belong to and the famous monuments. This approach to curriculum demonstrates the interrelatedness of all things. It also allows students to become thoroughly immersed in a topic—and to give their curiosity full rein.

Practical Life activities help children refine their sense of order, concentration, independence and coordination while they pursue purposeful activities such as table washing, flower arranging, polishing objects, and buckling shoes. Grace and Courtesy activities allow the children to practice social skills to successfully navigate many complex situations with ease. Sensorial activities isolate qualities such as color, texture, weight and shape, encouraging children to experience and explore the world through their senses. Children learn to sort, match, and grade, making meaningful connections to the environment. Language activities introduce phonetics and writing, providing children with opportunities to sound out sentences and stories. Math manipulatives introduce children to the concept of the decimal system and the four operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Through working with these concrete materials, concepts come alive and make a deep impression on the brain. In the broad Cultural area, children are introduced to puzzle maps of the continents, animal and plant kingdoms, and classifications. Art and music are integrated into the daily routine to encourage self-expression and creativity. Children learn songs, use rhythmic instruments, and engage in art projects using varied materials.

Montessori teachers undergo rigorous Montessori-specific training at MACTE certified institutions. They are trained in all curriculum areas: science, math, language, geography, history, practical life, and sensorial subjects, as well as child development and special education. All Montessori teachers participate in at least a one-year internship in a Montessori classroom, where they are introduced to all aspects of the classroom environment and supervised while mastering the lessons and materials.