Philosophy and Pedagogy

Maria Montessori started the first course for the Assistants to Infancy with Adele Costa Gnocchi in 1947 in Rome. She devoted her energies to developing an understanding of the unborn child to the three year old after she had developed the 3-6 and 6-12 year old programs. Maria Montessori’s philosophy is based on scientific observation of the child at various stages of development: infancy, childhood, adolescence and maturity.

The 0-3 period is a time of great connections between the physical and psychic development of the child. There are two aspects to the learning process, maturation and experiences, which the child is absorbing in the environment.

There are three key terms that Maria Montessori used to explain her pedagogy: the absorbent mind, the sensitive periods and the prepared environment.

The Absorbent Mind

The child from birth to three years of age possesses a very specific kind of mind which absorbs all that is in the environment unconsciously and effortlessly. The absorbent mind is transitory and only present in infancy. The purpose of the absorbent mind is the child’s adaptation to the culture and the environment into which the child is born. All learning that occurs at this time is of a permanent nature.

Sensitive Periods

The sensitive periods refer to a period of time when the child has a special sensibility to acquire a particular trait. The sensitive periods for the birth to the three year old child are:

The absorbent mind and the sensitive periods work together to assist the child to adapt to its culture and time in history.

The Prepared Environment

The prepared environment is a place where the child's development needs are met. It provides the opportunity for the child to develop their potential and to satisfy their needs in an environment set up specifically for this purpose. The prepared home and school environment can assist the child to develop their full potential as a human being.

Characteristics and Needs of the Eighteen Month to Three Year Old Child

The Purpose of the Infant Community Program

The Infant Community aims to provide the child with the opportunity to work/play in an environment that is especially prepared for the eighteen months to three year old child.

The environment created is based on the child’s need for order, movement and language.

Through various activities the child is offered the opportunity to develop and meet needs in the following areas:

These activities provide for:

Parent Education

Parent education will be facilitated through observations and parent evenings.