What is Montessori?

Montessori education is based on the principle that, simply by living, children are constantly learning from the world around them and through the world around them.

At Jesters we understand that most children are born curious; ready and eager to learn and to build their brains through their sense of discovery. Through their five senses children constantly absorb information from their world and begin to make sense of it because they are thinking beings.

Montessori pedagogy (the method and practice of teaching) believes there are certain periods during which children are more ready to learn certain skills. These are known as sensitive periods, and last only as long as is necessary for the child to acquire the skills.

The order in which sensitive periods occur (i.e a sensitive period for writing) as well as the timing of the period varies for each child. Through observation, our teachers and practitioners identify each child’s sensitive period and provide the resources for them to flourish during this time and use the observations to facilitate their all important ‘next steps’.

The Montessori method suggests that children learn best in an environment that has been prepared to enable them to do things for themselves.

Jesters incorporate well-regarded thinking to design their learning environments and everything has a purpose. Always child-centered, our play and learning spaces promote freedom for children to explore materials and experiences of their choice, presented in an orderly and independent way. 

Auto education, or self-education, is the concept that children are capable of educating themselves.

This is one of the most important beliefs in the Montessori method. This echos Jesters’ vision of creating environments where children are so absorbed and supported that learning is inevitable. We strive to provide the environment, the inspiration, the guidance and the encouragement for children to educate themselves whilst having fun, excitement, challenges and exploration.