Here at Sunnybank Montessori we believe that through the Montessori method the children will become excited about learning and will be inspired to develop a love for life-long learning.

The Montessori approach is holistic and aims to develop the whole child. Her method takes a child-centred approach to learning that is focused on self- directed activity and hands-on learning. Fundamental to the approach is the belief that a child’s early years from birth to six are the period when they have the greatest capacity to learn.

The Montessori Environment is prepared by a teacher and prepared to meet the physical and psychological needs of the child at each stage of development.

The beauty, order and accessibility in the classroom serve to entice the child into the activity. Guided by the Montessori teacher, the child explores the materials independently, and this is when the learning occurs. Children are able to engage with the activities according to their individual interests and at their own pace. In this way learning becomes highly personalized.

The Montessori teachers are referred to as directresses because this is a better analysis of what they do. They direct the children towards learning opportunities rather than directly teach them. The teachers are the observer of the environment and will be responsive to the needs of the children, they do not have to become bored or upset before the teacher notices and they get attention. The teacher is vigilant and will keep a watchful eye over the classroom, to notice what is happening without the children feeling that they are being guarded.