Liyabona Montessori

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“The way you love our children will determine their way of life”

Please note that OLIA’s ECD ministries including teacher training ministries are awaiting site development in the Nomzamo area and currently not in operation.

Click here for our Teacher Training Ministry page

Dear parents

I would like to say a warm welcome to the new parents and your child who are interested in joining us at Liyabona Montessori.

Our major goal is to help each child to reach a stage where he/she uses his/her abilities to think on his/her own and make his/her own decisions. We recognize that in order to do this, the yo

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ung child must have challenging, stimulating, and well-prepared materials in a calm and orderly environment.

The child is free to touch and handle materials in a peaceful atmosphere with the freedom and encouragement to be independent of others. He/she is given the opportunity to take risks and make mistakes without being afraid. Self-esteem comes from this process, which enables the child to learn for themselves what works and what doesn’t work by trial and error, rather than from external forces such as always being corrected by the teacher.

The secure and safe environment at Liyabona Montessori provides consistent ground rules where deep respect is given to each child’s rights, and helps put the child on the path toward using his/her own skills with pleasure and pride.

If you have any further questions, you are welcome to phone us to arrange for an observation.

We look forward to meeting you and your child.

Sincerely,

Helen Lee
Head directress at Liyabona Montessori
helen (at) precioustojesus.org
www.ourlivesinafrica.org/liyabona

helen

About Helen Lee
She obtained her Montessori training and Early Childhood Education at Century College in Vancouver, British Columbia. She has a music degree from University of British Columbia and she is certified by Royal Conservatory Music (R.C.M) Teaching Certification.

She is a missionary working with OLIA (140-272 NPO) and founded Liyabona Montessori Preschool in 2010 and it is a part of her ministries under OLIA.

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*Click on the images to enlarge

Montessori Theory

Dr. Maria Montessori discovered a good deal about the nature of the learning process in young children during her scientific observation and studies. She maintained that a carefully prepared classroom environment will nourish and encourage a child’s natural development. The Montessori Program is designed to develop confidence and self-esteem during the formative years in a safe, relaxed, and non-competitive environment. Each child is able to learn at his/her own pace and follow his/her own “self-conducted” path of environmental awareness, and social consciousness in each child. These aspects are nurtured by challenging, fun, innovative and stimulating classroom activities. The academic skills, life skills, and self-esteem that the child develops through the Montessori Program will serve and benefit the child throughout his/her lifetime.

The following are some basics and important Montessori concepts:

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The small child has a need to earn by doing. Their natural wish: “Help me to do it myself,” is a respected tenet in the Montessori Classroom. The principle is the basis of the Montessori Program:

The program is based on a profound respect for each child’s potential and his/her own unique personality: this leaves them room to grow and flourish physically, mentally, and socially.

The child is allowed a large measure of liberty (not-free-license) which forms the basis of real self-discipline. This discipline originates within the child as he/she gains confidence by making his/her own decisions and by exercising child’s own will. The self-discipline gained by the child is not imposed by external factors, nor does it stem from rewards and punishment.

Because the children are free from competition, and because they do not work for praise or rewards, learning becomes its own true reward. The desire to share the learning experience naturally follows: children help each other. This is results in a positive social community within the classroom.

Since the child navigates child’s environment by his/her own free-will and choice, devoid of competition and coercions, the child is free to tap into the child’s true potential without fear of making mistakes.

Finally, the Montessori Method develops the whole personality of the child, not only the intellectual faculties. The child grows into a mentally, physically, and spiritually healthy and happy adult.

Teaching Requirements

Each classroom will include one Head Teacher and one Assistant Teacher. Each class will have a ratio of no more than 8 children per teacher.IMG_1525