Montessori Education
About Our Montessori Education Program
Bright Scholars & Heritage Montessori Schools follow the educational method developed by Dr. Maria Montessori. The Montessori philosophy seeks as its goal an independent, self-directed child. Our program fosters the development of responsibility, collaboration, cooperation, and an enjoyment of learning through exploration, purposeful play, and inquiry. Specially designed Montessori materials are integrated with other developmentally appropriate activities to provide the child with progressive learning in areas of Practical Life, Sensorial, Mathematics, Language, and Culture (which incorporates Drama, Music, Art, Science, Geography, Engineering, History, and Technology).
Our program provides a total curriculum that allows for the optimum growth of children from 18 months up to and including 6.5 years old in all areas. Children are supported by our dedicated, Montessori-trained and RECE educators. Our team consists of child advocates who respect each child’s individuality and are committed facilitators who strive to educate the whole child and their families.
Bright Scholars & Heritage Montessori Schools believes in a strong partnership between the school and our families for a consistent, seamless experience for the children. We strive to maintain close contact and develop relationships to connect with our families through Daily Communication (verbal and/or written), Parent Education Events, Newsletters, Surveys, and Formal Meetings throughout the school year.
Our Mission & Values
Mission
Bright Scholars & Heritage Montessori Schools strives to provide a program that optimizes a child’s potential to expand their social, emotional, physical, intellectual, cognitive, and spiritual development. We recognize that children are competent, capable, curious, and have a natural desire that inspires them to reach their potential. Our goal is to nurture a child’s curiosity, creativity, and imagination in a carefully prepared environment that fosters independence, self-confidence, respect, and a life-long love of learning.
Our Values
How Does Learning Happen and the Montessori Philosophy
Our values at Bright Scholars & Heritage Montessori Schools are reflected in the Ministry of Education’s Policy Statement as set out in “How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years” (HDLH). The four crucial foundations help strengthen the quality of our program and early years’ environments across the province. The language used in this document may differ but the goal of a lasting, positive impact on children, families, and the community are the same. Rather than “play”, we term the exploration of materials as “work”; modelling that purposeful play furthers a child’s sense of accomplishment, independence, and shapes them into contributing members of society.
Our ten principles include the following:
- Belonging – Each child, family, and home is welcome and recognized as being unique. Family styles, values, culture, and traditions are respected and reflected in our classrooms.
- Community – We partner and draw from local community agencies for enhanced inclusion, professional development, and learning resource support.
- Inclusion – We welcome and integrate all children with physical, intellectual, developmental, social, and emotional needs with equality, fairness, dignity, respect, and privacy.
- Responsive – We “grow people” by selecting only the most knowledgeable, responsive, and reflective educators with ongoing professional education.
- Curiosity – We prepare our environment to nurture the child’s spirit, interests, curiosity, and exuberance to enhance their learning.
- Nature – We provide opportunities within our indoor and outdoor classrooms for children to develop an authentic connection with the natural environment. We are conscious of nutritious food as fuel for growth and promote physical activity
- Harmony – We work toward peace education through positive discipline for respect, citizenship, and self-fulfillment.
- Generosity – We encourage a generous spirit in our children through an emphasis on philanthropic efforts, compassion for others and the environment, and the value of sharing is caring.
- Individualized – We follow the child, observing and connecting to create individual learning plans based on each child’s strengths, interests, and capabilities.10. Self-Regulation – We model and facilitate positive behaviour guidance and provide children with the tools to regulate emotion and develop healthy social relationships.
- Self-Regulation – We model and facilitate positive behaviour guidance and provide children with the tools to regulate emotion and develop healthy social relationships.