Redefining Schooling

The Montessori Advantage

Individualised Education Plan for every Child

Upon admission to Hive Montessori, each child is assessed for individual educational needs so that a custom learning plan (IEP) may be put into place. The child benefits from a full curriculum designed to address each of their needs based on the identified strengths and gaps, rather than by chronological age. Overall educational learning goals are defined, and then the child transitions through the program based on the successful completion of individual goals, rather than the general expectation of the age group.

Every concept / material is introduced in a successional order to the child by the trained adult through emphasis on demonstration and minimal speech. The child will learn to patiently wait for their turn to practice one component at a time until they show mastery. The hierarchically structured curriculum helps the child to understand and progress from simple to complex and from concrete to abstract in sequential steps. Every activity the child is involved in has a built-in “control of error” and there is no requirement for the adult to feedback. The child learns by doing rather than by saying.

There is an optimal balance between freedom of movement, “liberty within limits” and structure in a Montessori classroom. With its established rituals and predictable “prepared environment”, Montessori provides a much-needed structure for a child. Everything in the classroom has a proper place and defined purpose. Although the children are given the freedom to move around, they need to abide by ground rules that are meant to preserve order in the classroom. The use of visual materials and routines greatly assists the children in transitions between activities and across the day.

In a Montessori education, opportunities for personality growth and life skill development are as important as academic growth. Children are given the opportunity to take care of themselves, their classmates, and the environment. The curriculum includes gardening, farming, cooking, building, sewing, and other life skills.

Every child in the Montessori classroom works at their own pace. The child is not hurried and is allowed to repeat the task as many times as necessary. The Montessori classroom is arranged according to subject area and stocked with materials of varying difficulty and complexity. Children are free to move around the room and to work with material with no time limit. This approach fosters independence and initiative.