Welcome

The Montessori Education Center, founded in 1982, is a private school serving more than 85 pre-primary, kindergarten, and first grade children each year (ages 2-7). All of our lead teachers are Montessori Certified and collectively have more than 80 years of experience at our school. We are conveniently located minutes off of the 5 freeway in Anaheim. Our school is dedicated to Dr. Maria Montessori's philosophy on early childhood education, with an emphasis on the carefully prepared classroom environment that fosters knowledge, independence and a life-long love of learning.

The Montessori Method

Dr. Maria Montessori was a physician and educator who dedicated her life to understanding the most effective ways in which children attain knowledge. In our multi-age classrooms children are encouraged to progress at their own pace and to make daily decisions about the work that they choose to do. As the child builds upon their successes, they develop confidence and independence alongside their academic accomplishments. We strive daily to provide each child with the emotional, behavioral and cognitive skills they need to reach their individual potential.

The Montessori Classroom

"The first aim of the prepared environment is, as far as it is possible, to render the growing child independent of the adult. "
- Maria Montessori

Once the teacher has prepared all of the materials for a new lesson, a student, or small group of students, will be presented with didactic learning materials that will drive the lesson forward. Following the presentation, the child may practice independently until they are comfortable enough to present it back to the teacher. At this point, the child is essentially self-teaching.  Maria Montessori states that, “The greatest sign of success for a teacher... is to be able to say, "The children are now working as if I did not exist." In their presentation of the work, the child learns self-discipline and confidence while retaining the new information.

Areas of the Montessori Classroom

Language

In the first stage of development the Montessori language materials provide experiences to cultivate the use of a writing instrument and the basic skills of reading the English language. The Montessori reading program begins at age three with sandpaper letters to teach consonant and short vowel sounds, and continues through long vowel patterns and phonetic rules.

Mathematics

Mathematics begins with the sandpaper numerals and the number rods exercise at age three and then progresses through addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, the decimal system and basic arithmetic facts.

Practical Life

These exercises assist the child in developing neuromuscular coordination and independence. Buttoning, tying, lacing, pouring, sweeping, cutting and so many more activities are all part of the education of the preschool student.

Sensorial

The sensorial exercises assist in refinement of the senses, preparation of the mathematical mind and development of eye-hand coordination. The preschool student will work with shapes and colors and be introduced to concepts of size and shape discrimination.

Science and Cultural Enrichment

In addition to the core curriculum, the children will be exposed to diverse and hands-on activities in the sciences, history and the arts. Through music, artwork, reading and writing, students will advance in basic geography and life sciences.