About
"The child absorbs knowledge directly into his psychic life... Impressions do not merely enter his mind, they form it."
Maria Montessori in The Absorbent Mind
Montessori
The Montessori Method was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952), an Italian educator and physician. She was the first woman to receive a medical degree from an Italian university.
Much of her program and educational philosophy was developed through her studies and work with mentally handicapped children. After having great success with her handicapped children, she went on to adapt her methods and establish schools for all children.
Maria Montessori studied children of all races and cultures in many countries around the world. This gave her a unique perspective on the ways children learn best—regardless of their race, culture, or traditions.
Through observing and working with children, she discovered their incredible, almost effortless, capability to absorb knowledge from their environment, especially during the period between birth and 6 years of age. She called this period "The Absorbent Mind". She realized that children of this age learn best, not merely by listening to words, but by experiences and acting on their environment. She observed that children will teach themselves if given the opportunities and proper environment.
Leaps 'n Bounds Montessori
Here at Leaps 'n Bounds Montessori our classroom follows Maria Montessori's program to provide an environment rich with materials that support the child's natural, spontaneous, urge to learn and develop him or herself. The activities are designed to inspire and stimulate the child's interest. A Montessori classroom allows freedom within limits and fosters a child's independence and natural sense of order. It allows children to progress at their own pace and multi-age classrooms allow younger children to learn from the example of older children. Large blocks of uninterrupted work time allow students to really become absorbed in their work and what interests them. And that is where the magic happens!
Miss Shyloh
Miss Shyloh is Montessori trained and certified with over 16 years of experience. She was homeschooled as a young child, using the Montessori Method. As she grew older, she became interested in learning to teach the Montessori Method and having a school of her own. In 1997-99 she went to George Wythe College in Cedar City, UT with a major in Education. In 2000 she began a one year Montessori training and certification program in Lindon, UT. She began teaching the Montessori Method in January of 2001 and has been doing it ever since!
Over the years she has taught preschool, kindergarten, and grades 1-5 using the Montessori Method, Spalding, Riggs, Cursive First, and Saxon Math. She loves the Montessori program, loves teaching, and is happy to have achieved her dream of running her own Montessori school. Her favorite age group to teach is preschool-kindergarten. She thinks they say the cutest things, loves their enthusiasm and fascination with learning, and loves to see them reach ‘aha’ moments.
Miss Shyloh has two sweet daughters, ages 10 and 5 years old, who have been raised with the Montessori Method. In her spare time Miss Shyloh loves horseback riding, dancing, gymnastic activities, and taking her daughters camping and to the beach.