Maple Tree Montessori is committed to excellence in Montessori education and Maria
Montessori’s goal to develop “A complete human being, oriented to the
environment, and adapted to his or her time, place and culture.”
Maria Montessori
Dr.
Maria Montessori (1870-1952) was an exceptional and innovative
educator, scientist, philosopher, and humanitarian. After becoming the
first woman to graduate from medicine at the University of Rome, she
practiced surgical medicine for a decade. She was a tireless campaigner
for equal rights and an active humanitarian, spending countless hours at
a mental institution, helping children learn and
develop.
Montessori
returned to university to study educational philosophy, psychology, and
anthropology. She was appointed Professor of Anthropology at the
University of Rome in 1904, and continued her work with children,
publishing her findings in medical journals. In 1907, she began working
with children in a day nursery, her “Casa dei Bambini,” and
spent the next two decades observing the children and experimenting with
the same teaching techniques she developed with the children in the
mental institution.
The Montessori Method
Dr.
Montessori developed her philosophy of education based upon actual
observations of children and her training in medicine, psychology, and
anthropology. The Montessori method aims for the fullest possible
development of the whole child as preparation for life.
During
their early years, children pass through sensitive periods in their
development, when they are particularly receptive to certain stimuli.
Taking advantage of these sensitive periods, the teacher introduces the
child to specialized materials to develop and enhance the senses. The
children work at their own pace in a non-competitive environment where
beauty and orderliness are stressed. Given the freedom to choose,
children reveal their spontaneous love of "work." A busy, quiet
atmosphere where freedom with responsibility is promoted is noticeable
in a Montessori classroom.
Dr.
Montessori described the child's mind between the time of birth and six
years of age as the "absorbent mind." During these years, the child has
tremendous ability to learn and assimilate from the world around
him/her.
Everything
in a Montessori classroom has a specific use or purpose and, in the
prepared environment, can be seen and touched. Chairs, tables, shelves
and materials are all scaled down to the child's size and are within
reach.
Montessori
teachers are observers and facilitators. They are ready to guide and
direct the children's enthusiasm for learning without interfering with
the children's needs. The teacher helps the children to develop their
independence. In this joyful atmosphere of acceptance and respect, the
children work through individual cycles of activity and learn according
to their own unique capabilities.
The Montessori approach to education allows the development of the whole personality of the child.
Maple Tree’s “Casa dei Bambini” (Children's House)
The
Maple Tree Casa program is for 3-5 year olds who are toilet trained. It
involves young children in a series of activities that are sequential,
manipulative and sensorial. Ultimately, these exercises bridge the gap
between concrete and abstract learning.
Practical
Life tasks help the children develop gross and fine motor skills. These
activities offer the children the means to take care of themselves and
their environment.
Sensorial exercises develop and enhance sense perceptions and logical thinking vital to growing minds.
Following
these early exercises, the children soon seek to gain an understanding
of the academic materials present in their classrooms. Children are
introduced to language activities and learn the shapes and sounds of
letters, begin manipulating writing utensils, and learn to build words,
which leads to reading.
Mathematics activities foster a concrete understanding of the mathematical concepts.
As
the children's interests grow and develop, they move from one level to
the next. Each step of the way is prepared to ensure success.
Cultural
activities include music, physical education, basic science, French,
geography, zoology, botany and art taught at a sensorial level. These
activities assist the child to become a compassionate, knowledgeable and
loving citizen of the Casa world.
Program Structure and Fees
Parents can drop off their child between 8:30 and 9:00a.m. The children begin their Montessori work at 9:00a.m. Maple Tree provides local, organic, nutritious snacks and lunch. Children get daily outside time to play and discover the environment around them. Each week, the children receive musical instruction, yoga, and other special activities. The afternoons are filled with Montessori work, art projects, and free play until pick-up (between 5:00 and 5:30p.m.).
2 full-days/week (T,Th)------------$415/month
3 full-days/week (M,W.F)----------$590/month
5 full-days per week----------------$965/month
Fees are payable at the beginning of each month, with post-dated cheques provided upon enrollment*.
*A discount of 5% will be provided for full-year fees paid upon enrollment.
--The Fees above are provided for information but are subject to change without notice--
The School Year
Maple
Tree’s school year generally follows the public school calendar and
runs from September to June, and is closed for the following holidays:
-Thanksgiving Day
-Remembrance Day
-Christmas/New Year holidays
-March break
-Good Friday
-Easter Monday
-Victoria Day
