First Steps Toward Independence
by Tracie Goebel and Melisa Gregory

Two of our teachers recently had an article published in Infants and Toddlers magazine that discusses the Montessori approach to helping infants gain independence skills.  A copy of the article is available in PDF format.  (1,052 kB)

Biography of Maria Montessori

"Within the child lies the fate of the future." - Maria Montessori

(Maria Montessori portrait used courtesy of The Creative Process, Inc., Portrait by Ernst Ulmer)

 Please see www.AMShq.org for a listing of Montessori Schools and a collection of position papers.

Maria Montessori said, "Our idea of a school is not a building with four walls in which to enclose and confine children, but a house wherein children are their own masters."

When one walks through our schools, one senses this pursuit of self-mastery.   Children are at ease, purposeful, curious, and confident.  They are not perfect.  They are not always serious or quiet, but they are very involved with being children and learning to cope with the world.  The adults who care for them are loving and respectful of each child's individuality.

If you were to ask most parents what their long range goals are for their children, they might include the following:

• To develop the self-confidence necessary to pursue a happy career
• To enjoy life-long learning
• To be happy
• To care about the well-being of others
• To live in a caring community
• To develop independence
• To be empathetic

Essential Montessori Elements:

1. A belief that children are curious from birth.  Through observation and continuous interaction with the environment, children begin to "absorb" everything they see, hear, feel, and manipulate.  Through this process, children begin to make sense of how the world works.  Motivation is intrinsic, and learning progresses as a child is allowed the freedom to move and interact with the environment.
2. Montessori educators, through study, observation, reflection and analysis are able to tailor the environment and their own behavior to meet the needs of each child.
3. A respectful environment that allows children to experience and observe adults and children working together as a community.
4. Freedom to make choices of activities, relationships, when to eat, and when and how long to rest/sleep.
5. Faith in the child, the ability to trust young children, and the belief that each action is purposeful.
6. A willingness to "listen to the child", to provide answers to their questions, and to reconstruct the environment to meet the child's cognitive, physical and emotional needs.

Montessori education is preparation for life.  Our work supplements the parent's work in helping the children develop self-calming, self-control, and self-confidence.   Instead of looking at the child's behavior as what they are, we look at who the child may become.  Optimism, positive attitudes, and hope for the future are essential to the success of children and our culture.

We hope you enjoy your on-line tour of our community.

For more information, please contact:

David Shelton-Dodge
830 North Mason Road
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
(314) 878-1144

Several useful forms are available to download and print. Please fax them back to us at (314) 469-8759.

HOPE Montessori Academies — Application for Admission

HOPE Montessori I-T Tuition & Fees (1 page / 7 KB)

HOPE Montessori Academies — Medical Examination Report (1 page / 5 KB)

HOPE Montessori I-T — Contagious/Uncontagious Illness Report (1 page / 7 KB)

Department of Health Licensing Policies: The Ill Child (1 page / 10 KB)

Hope Montessori Infant-Toddler Community is a member of the American Montessori Society.
For more information about the American Montessori Society, please click the icon below.