Sally Young currently has two children at ISMS.
“I have one child in Nautilus (Stage 2) and another who has just begun the Parent Toddler Program (PTP). My kids are so happy, and that makes me happy too!.”
Our Children
A principal goal of ISMS is to assist every child to become a happy, confident, independent learner who reaches his or her highest academic potential.
Importantly, the social and emotional development of our children is given equal attention. This emphasis on the ‘whole’ child and his or her uniqueness is the essence of the Montessori education offered at ISMS.
The benefits of Montessori are maximised if children start early and remain at ISMS until the completion of their Primary education in Stage 3 (traditionally Year 6). Therefore, ISMS encourages parents to allow their child to complete the full program.
The Montessori ‘system’ in a nutshell
The Montessori method takes advantage of children’s natural need and desire to learn. Dr Maria Montessori realised that all children go through specific stages of development and that each stage has its own unique and distinct characteristics.
The main Montessori program offered by Inner Sydney Montessori School is divided into 3 stages, each a 3 year cycle.
- Stage 1 for Pre-primary children aged 3-6
- Stage 2 for Primary aged children 6-9
- Stage 3, the final Primary stage, for children 9-12.
ISMS Classrooms in each Stage
The role of the classroom teacher, or director, is to guide learning with presentations to individuals or small groups of children using specific materials that build on the child’s previous knowledge. The director is assisted by assistants who are themselves often fully qualified traditional and Montessori teachers. There may be up to three assistants in one classroom, thus the ratio of child-to-adult is low (ranging from 1:10 to 1:15 in Primary classrooms, lower with younger children). The teaching staff develop a thorough understanding of each child and when the child is both age appropriate and ready, the move to the next stage is carefully facilitated.
A balance of ages and sexes
All ISMS classes are a balance of girls and boys of mixed ages within the three year age-range. In each classroom there is a diverse range of abilities with each child working at his or her own pace in a co-operative and respectful rather than competitive manner.
The multi-age classrooms are a fundamental part of Montessori education and are key to our children’s social and intellectual development.
The benefits of the composite class
Our children learn to co-operate with children of different ages and gain skills from each other. The older children in the group are given the opportunity to teach younger children, consolidating their own knowledge and leadership skills while the younger children have role models and are further motivated to learn.
Shy or less socially experienced children often become outgoing and confident with those that are younger. Through mixing with older and younger children (as well as others of their own age) children experience and develop an appreciation of the value of difference among people and of conflict resolution, communication and other inter-personal skills.
There is a place for everyone in an ISMS classroom, and a general and deep feeling of belonging and being valued.
The importance of respect and care for others
Respect and care for others are among the universal values emphasised and practised at ISMS. Our teachers and classroom assistants treat our children with respect and dignity and through the example of the adults and their peers, children learn to treat others and their environment with care and respect.
You’ll find more information on the principles of a Montessori education at the Montessori Association website.