Children's House of Weld County: Montessori
 (303) 651-3215
3801 Godding Hollow Parkway
Frederick, CO 80516
The Montessori method is a child-centered alternative educational method for children, based on theories of child development originated by Italian educator Maria Montessori (1870-1952) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is applied primarily in preschool and elementary school settings although some Montessori high schools exist.

This teaching method is characterized by an emphasis on self-directed activity on the part of the child and clinical observation on the part of the teacher (often called a director, directress, or guide). It stresses the importance of adapting the child's learning environment to his or her developmental level, and of the role of physical activity in absorbing abstract concepts and practical skills. It is also characterized by the use of autodidactic (self-correcting) equipment for introduction and learning of various concepts.

While the Montessori name has achieved some attention, it is not a trademark and is associated with more than one organization. There are schools which have been influenced by the Montessori method which bear little resemblance to, and have received substantial criticism from, other institutions with closer lineage to Montessori's work.

The Montessori method teaches reading via phonics and whole language, the comparative benefits of which are presently being recognized. The teaching philosophy is built upon the idea that children develop and think differently from adults; that they are not merely "adults in small bodies". Dr. Montessori advocated children's rights, children working to develop themselves into adults, and that these developments would lead to world peace. The Montessori method discourages traditional measurements of achievement (grades, tests) under the premise that it is damaging to the inner growth of children (and adults). Feedback and qualitative analysis of a child's performance does exist but is usually provided in the form of a list of skills, activities and critical points, and sometimes a narrative of the child's achievements, strengths and weaknesses, with emphasis on the improvement of those weaknesses.

In the Montessori curriculum, there are 6 overall areas:
  • Practical Life
  • Sensorial
  • Cultural
  • Science
  • Language
  • Math
There have been many studies performed on the success of using the Montessori teaching method. You can read some of the resulting reports:
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Random Staff Bio

Susan Halkin
Director & Teacher

Susan founded the school in 1979. She received her Montessori Teacher Training in Chicago in 1973. She has taught in Chicago, New York, and Denver, before settling at the Children's House. Susan and her husband Paul have a daughter and a son.
Testimonial

We feel so fortunate to have found the Children's House. We have four children ages 9, 7, 5, and 3 and have had a child at Children's House continuously since 2002. We have always been impressed with the quality of care and education. Each teacher at the...[more]
Sam and Darby Moore
Discipline must come through liberty.... We do not consider an individual disciplined only when he has been rendered as artificially silent as a mute and as immovable as a paralytic. He is an individual annihilated, not disciplined.
~ Maria Montessori ~