With the Montessori Philosophy, we guide children to do their own work, experiment, tinker and produce their own solutions. With the slogan “do it yourself,” students are invited to be producers rather than consumers by using creativity and self-motivated solutions, and they naturally experience the “Maker Movement” from a very young age. The artistic and design-oriented thinking of “Tinker practices” develops logical thinking, and discovery-based learning.
Our approach also benefits from STREAM integration. Initially known by the abbreviated name STEM (the English initials for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), the program was later expanded in many school curricula, first as STEAM with the addition of the arts, and then as STREAM with the inclusion of reading, that is, children’s literature.
STREAM is not simply rote memorization of facts, it is a program that enables children to discover their areas of interest and develop themselves by starting education at an early age and progressing at their own pace. However, in order for this program to work effectively, we as adults need to prepare the right environment and conditions and then guide children in this environment. In our school, which is based on the Montessori Philosophy, all of the STREAM dimensions are presented as part of the daily curriculum in an integrated structure within each other both during the school day, and also continuing as workshops outside of school hours.
Montessori education helps the child learn and explore science, art and nature, taking into account the child’s interest and abilities. Science at their own level helps the child to both increase and satisfy their curiosity, as well as to understand the environment and nature.
Art is a powerful form of expression in which children construct and reflect their feelings and thoughts. Elements such as form, shape, proportion, texture and color enable children to create works that reflect their lives and inner worlds. Through art, children reflect the emotions in their inner worlds while sharing many things they have experienced or imagined. Children have the opportunity to express themselves in different ways and forms.
Children who engage in art also learn to take risks and invent new things. They develop skills such as snap decision-making and experimentation. As a child’s knowledge, perception and observation skills increase, so do their artistic abilities.
The treasure of both visual arts and science is nature. Nature is full of unique riches across texture, form, color, light, shape and sound. It has been an important source for scientists and artists throughout human history. Natural events and plants, animals, living and non-living beings existing in nature have all been the subject of both science and art in concrete and abstract form. This connection is never overlooked in our curriculum.
