Maria Montessori was a doctor of medicine, specializing in anthropology and psychiatry, who developed an educational approach based on scientific observation of the cognitive and psychological development of children at the start of the 20th century. The fundamental principle of her pedagogy is
« The child is not a vessel that you fill, but a spring that you let flow ».
It is about accompanying the natural development of children, to support them so that they can deploy all the forces that they already have within.
"We must dig down to the deepest mystery of human life; we must reach the nucleus of which all is formed, the apparent non-existing psyche of the new born child. He has the power to develop everything which is in Man. He creates a being who can orientate himself in the environment. Without language he learns to speak; without intelligence, he constructs it; he coordinates his movements and learns to walk; he becomes interested in things. Nothing existed. Everything has been constructed by him. In him we are confronted with the mysterious, miraculous fact of creation". Montessori, Maria The 1946 London lectures p.20
Toddler Community
18 - 36 months
Help me to help myself
We are the only recognized Montessori Toddler Community in Geneva. We welcome children aged of 18 to 36 months. Class is every morning 8h-12h. You can choose between 3, 4 or 5 mornings enrolment.
Through the different Montessori activities, your child will be encouraged to do things for themselves, develop confidence and ability in practical skills, learn to care for themselves and the environment around them, and to develop their communication skills in both languages, English and French.
We focus on developing movement, language and independence, but also building a sense of community where everyone is important and respected. Children learn the rules of grace and courtesy, to treat each other with compassion, and to resolve conflicts peacefully.
The class room is thoughtfully designed to facilitate a toddler’s functional independence and to give her the freedom to move and is set up with all the materials according to the standards of the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).
Our nurturing community of trained teachers for children aged 18 months to 6 years old is committed to helping your child learn the skills that will help him thrive now and in the future.
Children's House
3 to 6 years
Our Children's House welcomes children aged 3 to 6 years old. We have a mixed age class which includes 1 year of preschool and 1st and 2nd primary class. School is on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8h-15h30. Preschool children can attend either just mornings 8h-11h45 or full days. 1st and 2nd primary aged children must attend full days.
Having created the foundations of their personality, three-year-old children arrive in the prepared environment ready to develop and perfect their abilities. They learn through real-life activities that support independence and self-efficacy; manipulation of objects to provide concrete sensorial experience and open-ended exploration leading to the refinement of their movements, sensory perceptions, language and the development of their intellect.
3 to 6-year-olds thrive through opportunities to follow their own interest, freely choose their own activities, develop their capacity for concentration, and engage at their own pace their emerging powers of reason, imagination, and sociability.
Materials and activities are designed to support self-directed discovery and learning. They are organized around :
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Practical Life activities that develop both independence and social skills
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Sensorial activities that refine sensory perception
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Development of Spoken Language, Writing and Reading skills and Mathematical activities that develop fundamental mathematical concept
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Activities that reflect upon our human understanding of geography, history, biology, science, music, and the arts
The Montessori trained teachers guide the children along this journey, helping them become well-adapted individuals, ready to take a positive, pro-social place in their world.
After school care 3 to 6 years
We have a flexible after school care until 18h where you can enroll your child either on a regular basis or occasionally by letting us know in the morning for the same day. Children will have group and individual activities in art and music and free play time. A snack is provided.
English class
3 to 6 years
Class is for children aged 3 to 6 years from beginners to anglophones. Activities include games, stories, movement, songs and music, art projects and outside play. The aim of our class is that your child has stimulating and fun activities in English. For beginners they will become interested and confident in an English environment, for those children already fluent in English it is a time to have fun, develop friendships and support their English knowledge. We currently have space in the afternoons 13h-16h30. Children must be toilet independent to participate.
Options for the new school year 2024/25 will be either morning from 8h30 to 11h45 or an extended morning 8h30-13h30 or afternoon 13h to 16h15 or full day 8h30 - 16h15.
We are currently taking enrolments please find here the information and enrolment form :
Address
Growing Together Montessori school Rue Sonnex 23
1218 Grand-Saconnex
Switzerland
Contact
Opening Hours
Mon - Fri
8:00 – 18:00