Seaside Montessori
Preschool in Northampton, MA 01061
The mission of Seaside Montessori is to recognize and foster the individual learning needs of each child. We aim to offer an education of exploration into multiple cultures to promote a diverse curriculum based on acceptance of others. As the Montessori classroom is intended to be an extension of the home our goal is to create a home-like environment where all children and staff feel safe, nurtured, and enabled.
- Child Ages:
- 2.5 years - 6 years
- Rates:
- $$$
- Licenses & Accreditations:
- Massachusetts Department of Early Education & Care
- Preschool:
- Yes
- Hours of Operation:
- Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-3:30 PM
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Of paramount importance to the Montessori philosophy of education is the concept of the prepared environment. What does this mean? As Maria Montessori states in The Discovery of the Child, “There is only one basis for observation: the children must be free to express themselves and thus reveal those needs and attitudes which would otherwise remain hidden or repressed in an environment that did not permit them to act spontaneously.”
The idea of a prepared environment is that the functionality of the environment should be considered from the perspective of the child not the adults. Therefore, furniture in the classroom is sized to the children’s needs and light enough for them to move or adjust it. The overall atmosphere within the classroom is one where order exists. The work environment allows the child freedom of choice in the activities he or she engages in. Activities are placed on shelves of the child’s height so they can access those learning experiences they wish to engage in. And, finally, the materials used in the prepared environment are of a physical nature and reality-based. It is important to note that the environment is considered as important to learning in the Montessori classroom as the teacher and the child.
Another crucial part of the environment is the integration of nature into the classroom. At Seaside Montessori we are so lucky to have Nantasket Beach at our doorstep to provide ample learning opportunities to explore through our natural surroundings.
