About Montessori

Almost all toddlers do it. They hold on to a toy or a serving spoon or a ketchup bottle and say, “I do it.” There is an innate desire in all of us to contribute, learn, and do and, in its simplest form, this is the foundation of the Montessori method.

Over 100 years ago, Dr. Maria Montessori observed that children learn best by doing. Her extensive and exacting research produced a teaching method which matches teaching styles to the intellectual, emotional, and social development of children. Modern research, found in Angeline Stall Lillard’s “Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius,” has validated Maria Montessori’s method. And it is an amazing method to watch.

At The Montessori School of Raleigh, we remain true to this philosophy and provide

  • multi-age and cross-grade groupings of children in 3-year developmental cycles.
  • specially designed sensorial materials in each classroom.
  • experienced, certified directors (teachers) who have studied and interned to teach children of specific age groups (e.g., age 6-9 instead of the broad K-8th grade).
  • rigorous requirements for all faculty members who, regardless of the age they teach, must meet the same level of education. Likewise all faculty are on the same salary scale.
  • curriculum which doesn’t stop with state required benchmarks.
  • student led peace lessons, from toddler through middle school, which promote community, conflict resolution, problem solving, honesty, care, and respect.
  • the fundamental belief in the goodness and giftedness of each child.

The results are amazing. Students leave The Montessori School of Raleigh with a strong academic background and a quickened curiosity. They are confident individuals ready to take their place in the community.

Recommended Resources

Works By or On Montessori

The Montessori Method
Maria Montessori

From Childhood to Adolescence
Maria Montessori

Montessori- A Modern Approach
Paula Polk Lillard

Montessori Today
Paula Polk Lillard

Maria Montessori – A Biography
Rita Kramer

Montessori for the New Millennium
Ronald Wentworth

Montessori Principles and Practices: A book for Parents and Teachers
E.P. Calverwell

Montessori: Her Method & the Movement: What you need to know
Reginald Calvert Orem

General Education

The End of Education: Redefining the Value of School
Neil Postman

Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences
Howard Gardner

All Kinds of Minds
Mel Levine, M.D.

A Mind at a Time
Mel Levine, M.D.

Child and Young Adolescent Development

The Magic Years
Selma H. Frailberg

Endangered Minds
Jane M, Healy, Ph.D.

The Hurried Child
David Elkind, Ph.D.

Touchpoints
T. Berry Brazelton, M.D.

Yardsticks
Chip Wood

Positive Discipline A to Z
Jane Nelsen, Lynn Lott, H. Stephen Glenn

Children: The Challenge
Rudolf Dreikurs

Siblings Without Rivalry
Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish