Montessori Schools For Kids In Kuala Lumpur

WHAT IS MONTESSORI? HISTORY + CURRICULUM

Dr. Maria Montessori was a pioneer in many ways, but most importantly for us, in 1907, she started applying her methods when teaching poor kids in the slums of Rome. She observed that children went through "sensitive periods" when they displayed a heightened interest in acquiring certain skills, like learning to talk and beginning to socialize, and thus shed new light on child development. The Montessori method has a "curriculum" of prescribed activities, from which kids choose the ones they are guided towards by their innate interest. They learn concepts through hands-on exploration and a constructivist approach. Most importantly, they are allowed to learn at their own pace in an environment meticulously tailored to give them maximum exposure to possibilities for creative choices and growth (Montessori herself believed this kind of education would contribute to world peace!). A wide range of practices go by the name of "Montessori," but they need to fulfill the following conditions:

THE CLASSROOM:

The goal is to establish vertical streaming in which care and guidance trickle down when needed and learning is collaborative and often project-based, so the classes are a mix of kids of different ages (2½ or 3 to 6 years, but their Montessori classes exist for younger and older kids both as well) and abilities that form a little society. The kids socialize in a clutter-free space and interact with each other and the intentionally displayed materials around the classroom.

THE MATERIALS:

The materials are thoughtfully arranged on the child-sized shelves to stimulate the children in an independent discovery that corresponds to their physical, mental, and social phase of development. The materials are developed by Montessori and her collaborators to serve as teachers themselves as they are self-correcting, made of natural materials, and aesthetically pleasing. It's the healthiest eye candy there is.

THE TEACHER:

MONTESSORI SCHOOLS IN KUALA LUMPUR:

Peter & Jane Kindergarten, www.pnjkindergarten.com

A Star Kids Montessori, www.astarkids.com

Babies Casa Montessori International Preschool, www.babiescasa.com

Blissdale Montessori Preschool, www.blissdalemontessori.com

Brainy Bunch (Islamic Montessori), www.brainybunch.com

British Montessori Lighthouse Center, www.britedu.co

Children's Discovery House, www.childrensdiscoveryhouse.com

Children's World Montessori, www.cw-montessori.com

Dripping Colours Montessori, www.drippingcolours.com

Joykids, www.joykids.my

Knowledge Tree Montessori, www.knowledgetree.my

Little Bee Montessori Pre-School, www.pjbee.com

Little Playhouse, www.littleplayhouse.com.my

Montessori Kids Academy, www.montessorikidsacademykl.com

My Montessori School, www.myms.my/index.html

Rimbun Montessori, www.rimbunmontessori.com

Sparkles Montessori, www.sparklesmontessori.com.my

The Children's House, www.thechildrenshouse.com.my

The Growing Tree, www.thegrowingtree.com.my

The Junior Academy, www.livingmontessori.com.my

The Montessori Place, www.themontessoriplace.com.my

Tree Top House, www.treetophouse.com.my

Programs which compliment Montessori: whitelodge.edu.my/our-learning/curriculum

More Resources: www.facebook.com/Montessori.Association.Malaysia