Early Montessori

• Prepared environment with child-sized furniture and materials
• Hands-on, experiential learning materials
• Freedom within limits: children are free to choose their work as long as they are being respectful of each other and the materials
• Focus on peaceful, respectful interactions between children and adults
• A belief that children are naturally driven to learn and discover
• A belief that each child is unique and develops at his or her own pace
• A Montessori-trained adult who understands the developmental needs of children

A Montessori education teaches children to work cooperatively, set goals, be self-directed, organize their time, see projects or goals to completion, resolve conflicts peacefully, and value individual differences.

Research shows that brain development and capacity for learning are dependent on experience in the environment and purposeful movement. Children who are in Montessori environments are encouraged to move, use, and care for the didactic materials that build coordination, a sense of order, and problem-solving skills.

Children enrolled in Montessori programs consistently outperform peers in reading, math, and science. They also demonstrate better executive functioning, social cognition, problem-solving, and more positive peer interaction.

Canyon Heights is a proud member of the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Developed in 1954 by Sofia Cavalletti and Gianna Gobbi in Rome, this program is rooted in Montessori principles and emphasizes hands-on materials based on the Bible, sacraments, and Church teachings.