Montessori is a philosophy and method of education pioneered by the Italian educationalist Dr Maria Montessori

The first Montessori school was opened in 1907 and since then the Montessori movement has grown into a vast organisation.

The Montessori philosophy emphasises the potential of the very young child and Montessori recognised that the first six years of a child’s life are the most important: it is during these years that the basis of their personality is laid. Therefore the child should be exposed to as stimulating an environment as can be provided and allowed to learn through a process of selfdiscovery.

The environment is carefully prepared with many unique resources designed to help children learn at their own pace according to their own interests.

Dr Maria Montessori recognised that there are Sensitive Periods in children’s lives when they experience strong interest in certain aspects of learning.

What are the advantages of Montessori?

1. A carefully prepared environment caters specifically for the needs of the child. From a sequentially ordered range of special materials children choose the work they find interesting and focus uninterrupted on that work.

2. The children work with a minimum of adult interference. The teachers are there to observe each child’s individual needs and to guide them in their spontaneous learning.

3. The Montessori environment encourages self-confidence, self-discipline, concentration and independence.

4. The Montessori environment is a community of children of mixed ages and abilities.

Puddleducks’ Montessori Preschool has up to 50 children over the age of 2 ½ years and is situated at 43 Parnell Heights, Palmerston North.

There are two beautifully equipped Montessori classrooms designed with children’s needs and abilities in mind. Both the Karaka and Kowhai class accommodate a maximum of 25 children. Each class has two Directresses and there are 2 additional teachers running the outside programme.


Click here to read Issue 37 of "Informed" with an article from our Lead Directress, Rihana Lathiff  (pages 4-5)