Montessori promotes itself on new DVD
A free DVD released this week is aiming at raising awareness of the Montessori teaching method and changing the perception that it is only for middle-class or nursery-age children.
The film was made by Montessori St Nicholas in conjunction with Tana Ramsay, wife of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. Ms Ramsay is a qualified Montessori teacher who once worked at Caterpillar Montessori nursery in Chiswick, west London.
Ms Ramsay said, 'In the UK Montessori is relatively well-known but little understood. The Montessori method sounds like it might be something unusual, but in fact it's a straightforward and sensible way to support children in their learning.'
Filming took place at a diverse range of private and maintained Montessori settings.
Linda Madden, principal of Rainbow Montessori Junior School, which participated in the filming, said, 'I think we are a good example of how Montessori carries on past the age of five. There is a widespread misunderstanding that it is only for nursery-age children and it is often thought not to be accessible, but it is - I started Montessori teaching in Paraguay, one of the poorest countries in South America.'
The DVD also promotes Montessori teacher training as a career option and highlights fundamental aspects of Montessori education, including how it relates to the Early Years Foundation Stage and the National Curriculum.
To order a free copy of 'Discovering Montessori ... with Tana Ramsay' visit www.montessori.org.uk.
