Montessori Three-Year Age Grouping

Montessori’s Visionary Pedagogy

Maria Montessori based her philosophy and method on a deep understanding of and respect for children. According to Montessori, children are living in a process of self-realization and discovery. The central feature of the Montessori Method, which energizes all the others, is the 3-year multiage classroom structure based on general cycles of child development. In a Montessori classroom, children get the opportunity to be the youngest, the middle child, and the eldest. The 3-year grouping adds stability to a classroom by preserving the memory of classroom traditions and rituals among the two-thirds of the students who return for their 2nd or 3rd year. This multiage structure helps orient children’s minds toward an appreciation of diversity.

The 3-year age grouping makes possible three important components that guide our daily work within the Montessori setting: Choice, Personal Connection, and Collaborative Learning.

Choice

• guided discovery

• teacher as observer

• experiential learning

• integration of subjects

• differentiated follow-up work

• individual and group lessons

Personal Connection

• learning through the senses

• impressionistic lessons

• imaginative learning

• parent involvement

• freedom of movement

• trust and familiarity

Collaborative Learning

• peer teaching

• peer to peer mentoring

• multi-age lessons

• companionship

• give and take

• communication and cooperation

Mt. Juliet Montessori looks forward to a continued relationship with each of its students and families, celebrating the uniqueness of all. We hope you will allow your child to experience the 3-year cycle!