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 3rdyear. This multiage structure helps orient children’s minds toward an appreciation of diversity.
The 3-year age grouping makes possible three important components which guide our daily work within the Montessori setting: Choice, Personal Connection, 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!