Montessori

St Philomena's Preparatory School

an old, established school...for a modern era.

Montessori Education

Our Montessori pre-school provides the perfect environment for early education, where each child progresses at their own pace. The pre-school experience facilitates a smooth integration into more formal schooling and instils confidence and a positive, enthusiastic approach to learning.

The Child

Each child is unique. No two children develop at the same time and therefore must be treated as individuals and worked with accordingly.
A child is not a small adult and therefore differs in his/her way of feeling and thinking, motivation and choice of activity.
The first six years of a child’s life is marked by special sensitivities to areas of life and culture. These periods of readiness to learn should be recognised and utilised so that the child begins to reach his/her full potential. During this time the child has a mind capable of absorbing and learning without effort.

A child’s most important instrument of learning is movement especially that of his/her hands. In a Montessori classroom the child has structured freedom to move around and choose meaningful activities.

The Teacher

It is she/he who personally prepares the classroom, selecting the equipment and organising the environment to suit the age group in her care.
The teacher’s primary role in the classroom is that of an observer. She/he must continually assess and build up a knowledge of each individual child so that she/he can guide the child into reaching his/her full potential

Classroom Objectives

To maintain an environment where a child will develop a feeling of self acceptance and esteem.
To promote an atmosphere which encourages respect and concern for all individuals.
To provide opportunities for learning, exploration and creativity which will enable the child to realise his/her own potential.
To develop and refine a child’s senses to lay a secure basis for accurate perception.
To build up concentration through repetition of those activities which meet an inner need for the child
To provide an attitude of appreciation for the natural world in which we live.
To encourage fair play, self reliance and individual freedom and responsibility.
To respect each child’s individuality and promote interests and understandings which will enable him/her to be a happy member of society.

Contact

For further information on our Montessori pre-school please contact the class teacher Ms Eileen Towey on 061 468531

T:061 310644 M:087 0530186 F:061 481625 E:stphilomenaschool@eircom.net