MSB’s Academic Principal shared her thoughts about Montessori education with parents recently.

Currently in most of the traditional schools around the world, a factory model was in place to force children to learn things at the same pace as others in the same class. In those programs, children are expected to be the same.

Montessori is an educational philosophy and practice that fosters the child’s curious mind, aiming to ignite his passion for learning and discovery. MSB offers programs for children as young as 18 months old.

“Our multi-aged classrooms encourage independence, collaboration, respect for oneself and others, and leadership development,” said Geraldine, the Academic Principal. “The hands-on approach to learning using specially designed materials is a hallmark of the Montessori program.”

Montessori Education supports children in choosing meaningful and challenging work that captures their interest leading to engagement, sustained attention, intrinsic motivation, and a sense of responsibility toward oneself and others.

Toddler

The Toddler’s learning environment is designed to foster young child’s emerging independence and desire for exploration. During the first three years of life your child absorbs a wealth of information from the environment through observation and exploration. Our teachers prepare materials that pique your child’s interest and curiosity based on their daily observations. The materials chosen offers an authentic and meaningful experience (e.g., they are peeling the cucumber, making a bowl of cereal, scooping some beans, etc.). The learning objectives for your children at this age include developing skills such as language, concentration, visual discrimination, problem solving, and physical coordination.

EC

In Montessori schools, academic growth is just one part of a child’s healthy development. The Montessori method also nurtures the social, emotional, and physical growth to ensure that the child is always treading in the paths of joy and love, as Dr. Maria Montessori puts it.

Our Early Childhood program offers the curriculum areas which are: Practical Life, Language, Sensorial, Math, Culture (comprise of history, geography, science, art, music), and Virtues.

Elementary

In Elementary, our Montessori-inspired classrooms expand from the foundations laid in Early childhood. The focus on self-care and fine motor skills shifts to skills that help children connect with their interest of the outside world, organize their time, and take part in their community.

They also start to apply their knowledge of math concepts from concrete to abstract form. At this stage, children learn the Montessori grammar symbols as they master conventions with thorough studies of grammar, spelling, and mechanics. Cultural studies, on the other hand, allow children to explore the interconnectedness of all living things. The Montessori Great Lessons, a series of dramatic stories take a center stage to allow the children explore the origin of the universe, our planet, and continuous development of human advancement. Beginning with the study of civilization, students explore the contribution of history and what it means to be a responsible citizen and seek ways to make the world a better place.

Middle School

Starting from 2023-2024 school year, we will offer the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (MYP). Overall, MYP and Montessori share many similarities in their approach to education, including a focus on the individual student, integrated curriculum, inquiry-based learning, collaborative learning, and a focus on real-world applications. 

Through our proud heritage of Dr. Montessori’s philosophy, MSB’s Middle School will foster the kind of academic inquire, drive, and love of learning that will prepare our students for high school, university, and beyond.