A Montessori education is unique and takes child development into account at every level: physical, psychological, intellectual, and social. Developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, it emphasizes self-directed activity, hands-on learning, and collaborative play. A foundational value of this approach and HMS is to set up children for a love of learning, for their lifetime.
Dr. Montessori developed this approach after keen observations of children for over 40 years, from a range of social classes in many countries, on three continents. Observations today by Montessori educators are consistent with her findings a century ago. Enriching experiences in early years will promote and support healthy advancement for children as the brain further develops and progresses.
Dr. Montessori found that all children exhibit characteristics and needs for healthy
development in four distinct stages, or planes of development, that set the stage for lifelong application.
The First Plane: Birth to Age 6 (Early Childhood/Infancy) “The Absorbent Mind”
The Second Plane: Ages 6–12 (Childhood) “Conscious Imagination”
The Third Plane: Ages 12–18 (Adolescence) “New Identity”
The Fourth Plane: Ages 18–24 (Maturity) “Maturity”
The First Plane: Birth to Age 6 “The Absorbent Mind”
This creative period is characterized by a striving for physical and biological independence — the child is learning to speak, read, crawl, and walk. They can do this because of the outstanding capacity of their young brains to make millions of neuronal pathways. According to Dr. Montesorri, 85% of the brain is formed by the age of 3.
By age 3, the brain has established a pattern of processing information that will be used throughout life. A child’s early experiences affect the quality of his brain architecture, forming the foundation upon which future development rests. Early experiences also have a greater impact on the developing brain because new experiences are stored in relation to previous ones.
At no other stage of life does a child develop so rapidly and in such major ways. They effortlessly absorb the environment around them and what their senses experience, asking what everything is, in a constant quest for words. Personality, quirks, likes, dislikes—the foundation for all of these is laid during this time.
The Educational Environment for The First Plane of Development
A young child’s quest needs environments that are rich in reality, culture, communication, nature, and human interactions. They are learning to control their movements, to do things to care for themselves and for their environments. Through these interactive experiences, young children develop self-esteem, become more independent, and form a sense of belonging to the community as contributors, through their physical actions.
Particularly, between the age of birth to age 3, Dr Montessori outlined the sensorial learning stage, where children refine skills in perceiving the world through their different senses, and learn how to describe and name their experiences—for example, rough and smooth, perceived through touch. Sensorial learning helps children classify their surroundings and create order. It lays the foundation for learning by developing the ability to classify, sort, and discriminate—skills necessary in math, geometry, and language.
HMS Programs
We are dedicated to fostering your child’s early childhood development with optimal learning environments that stimulate educational growth both at home and school. By tailoring the educational experience to each child, we inspire our students with a passion for learning.
Our program offers thoughtfully prepared spaces with age-appropriate materials and activities tailored to each stage of growth. Emphasizing individualized care, we prioritize nurturing each child with love and respect.
HMS's Infant program provides a serene, nurturing space for mobile infants to thrive and feel secure. Our dedicated teachers communicate in soothing tones, fostering an atmosphere of calmness. Embracing the Montessori philosophy, every aspect of our environment is carefully chosen to promote holistic development.
The Toddler program prepares children for preschool by offering carefully curated spaces equipped with age-appropriate materials and activities tailored to each stage of development. With a focus on personalized care, we prioritize nurturing each child with love and respect.
HMS's program culminates with the Primary program. This program provides a stimulating and nurturing environment with dedicated teachers, guided by the Montessori philosophy, to encourage exploration and discovery at each child's own pace. Equipped with thoughtfully chosen curricular materials, our classrooms promote independence, cognitive, social, and emotional growth, fostering a love for learning and a strong foundation for future success.
Hoboken Montessori's mission is to nurture and grow the love of learning within each child. We use Montessori philosophy and methodology, as well as current best practices, to provide an education that gives children the essential learning skills they need to reach their fullest academic, social, and emotional potential.
Come meet a member of our admissions team and learn more about our authentic Montessori programs, schedules, and tuition.
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