Maria Montessori’s empathy and respect for children drew me to Litchfield Montessori School over a decade ago. In her Casa dei Bambini, or Children’s House, Maria demonstrated the benefits of recognizing the capacity children have to absorb their surroundings and lead their own learning. There is a reverence for the potential of each child that they feel from the moment they walk through our doors.
Our Montessori guides observe a child’s natural curiosity and support their love of learning through a carefully chosen environment made up of materials crafted to fit the child’s hands, appreciating their eagerness to explore with their senses and experience the joy of learning for themselves. Like so many other families who have called Litchfield Montessori a second home, my own children have thrived here. The materials are beautiful and carefully arranged, the faculty and curriculum nurture the whole child, and parents, grandparents and community members are encouraged to participate in the delights of Montessori methodology.
When you observe a Montessori child engaged in an uninterrupted block of time dedicated to exploration, you see the satisfaction they get from independently selecting work. They acquire and use the materials they need on their own or reach out to peers for support, and clean up after themselves. This kind of peaceful, focused work springs from what makes Montessori classrooms unique. The multiage classroom is a hallmark of the Montessori method. It nurtures both social and intellectual development. Children look forward to learning what their older peers can do and take pride in sharing their knowledge with younger children. What makes Litchfield Montessori an especially unique environment is our 100 acre property where our children have imagined a world of their own in the woods. You’ll wish you could spend your day as they do, focused on work that is meaningful, empowered by the respectful guidance of adults and peers around them, and inspired by a beautiful learning environment.
Litchfield Montessori alumni carry with them the skills and memories that will fuel them for the rest of their lives. They develop communication skills to work collaboratively with peers, to set boundaries and take initiative on meaningful projects. They have the space to delve deeply into their work without being rushed on to the next task. It is a joy to see how each child decides what is important to them to practice as well as what they are eager to learn next. The memories they make in the woods, rehearsing for the school play, on the ski slopes, and in every moment spent here at our lovely little school are the picture of a quintessential childhood. There is a reason a Montessori childhood is a sought after experience. Come see for yourself and you’ll see this is the right place for your family.
Learn more about Montessori Education here.
