Developing a Lifelong Love of Learning, Independence and Curiosity.

Besides the health, safety and well-being of their children, most parents consider education a top priority. Parents and caregivers want their child to enjoy learning and start their educational career by being engaged and actually enjoying what they are learning. It is through this positive outlook that a child will develop long-term curiosity and eagerness to learn.

No one understands this or encourages the love of learning quite like the Montessori School of Kleinburg, located at Nashville Road and Highway 27 in Kleinburg, Ont., which teaches students from toddler-aged to Grade 6.

“The Montessori method of education is to assist children to become caring, self-motivated and fulfilled individuals,” says principal Vincenza Marzano. “Our goal is that the child will find purpose in their learning, which makes them proud of themselves and develop a lifelong love of learning,” she says. “We feel by awakening and harnessing a child’s curiosities, it allows them to dig deeper, and they use that to direct their own success.”

The Montessori method recognizes a child’s natural stages of development. In their classrooms, students work independently on many different materials, with teachers’ guidance and encouragement. Students plan their own agendas for the day and have freedom to move around and figure out what works best for them. The Montessori approach to learning has been used for more than 100 years in more than 8,000 schools on six continents.

Montessori graduates are responsible, resourceful and respectful toward themselves, their peers and the world around them, just like former student Alexia Menchella, 18, who entered the Montessori School of Kleinburg at age three and graduated from the school in Grade 6.

“It’s a different way of learning — more hands-on — and that made me very confident going into middle school,” says Menchella, now a student at Rotman Commerce at the University of Toronto. “You can do the work you want to do without a set agenda, which gives you independence. Montessori gives you the tools to succeed.”

Montessori methodology promotes multi-aged classrooms, and Menchella found that being in a classroom with older students (for Grades 4–6) was very beneficial in challenging and pushing her to learn ahead.

“When you get older and on your own and have to sort things out for yourself, Montessori’s focus on being independent really prepped me and made me want to push boundaries to surpass my grade level. It gave me great confidence and maturity,” recalls Menchella. “They give you the reins, and you have to figure it out, making you very well-prepared. Montessori is what gave me the foundation to be where I am now and the person I am now.”

“Rather than be ‘told’ to do specific tasks and then becoming resentful and disconnected from learning, Montessori students are given materials to discover and solve the issue at hand independently, which motivates them to actually enjoy it,” says Marzano. “Students learn about stewardship, responsibility and that hard work pays off. Children are given the opportunity to be successful on their own and be proud of that in developing crucial life skills that transpire beyond their youth.”

From the first day a student begins their education at the Montessori School of Kleinburg, a love of learning, independence and curiosity are encouraged. These are key attributes that a Montessori School of Kleinburg student will possess during their time with the school and beyond.

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Photography By Carlos A. Pinto