Have you considered a Montessori Education?

As we dive deeper into the world of unconventional education, we’ve been captivated by some unique teaching styles that haven’t quite hit the mainstream in Belize yet. One standout is the Montessori method. Even though Doctor Maria Montessori introduced this approach back in the early 1900s, it’s only found a home in one school here. But that’s starting to change as more parents discover the incredible benefits and the special kind of empowerment it offers their kids. This week, we’re excited to take you on a tour of the Children’s House at Mother of Mercy Montessori. Let’s jump into the story.

 

Sabreena Daly, Reporting

The Montessori method is all about meeting students where they are, adapting to their unique learning pace and style. Developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 1900s, this approach was truly ahead of its time. It uses sensory experiences to guide learning, helping kids build confidence and feel empowered. Globally, it’s a popular choice for many, known for its hands-on learning, focus on key developmental stages, and deep respect for each child’s individuality. But here in Belize, Montessori is still a bit of a novelty. We took a trip to Mother of Mercy Montessori, the only school in the country that formally embraces this innovative system.

 

Alma Habet, Lead Guide, Mother of Mercy Montessori

“We’ve been here for about six years now. This is our sixth year. And we’ve started with a daycare, and then we’re building, we’re moving to primary and lower elementary and upper elementary.”

 

Sabreena Daly
“In the Montessori method, I’m inside what is considered a child’s house. When compared to the traditional teaching system here in Belize, this would be deemed a classroom. And what we call teachers, a Montessori school refers to as guides.”

Alma Habet, the lead guide at Mother of Mercy Montessori, has the wonderful task of nurturing children of all different ages. Her calm and welcoming demeanor creates a space where the unique personalities of each child can flourish. With gentle encouragement, she leans over and invites a student to join her in a sentence-writing lesson, fostering a love for learning in the process.

Alma Habet
“Children are not interested in always telling them what to do and they’re capable of so much more. So we have small rooms where a child can do exactly what an adult is doing. That they need respect. We need to give them that dignity that every human person needs to have. So, once a child has that and they are followed, they’re observed. We know where to meet them. They come from different backgrounds. They have different experiences. So they all bring this together in the children’s house.”

 

Rosaline Bradley has been instrumental in bringing this forward-thinking educational method to life. With her extensive experience in Belize’s education system, she passionately underscores the value of the Montessori approach and its transformative potential for how children in Belize learn and grow.

 

Rosaline Bradley, First Chair, Mother Of Mercy Montessori

“One of the values that I noticed is that it’s very hands-on. And so the students make their choices and they have to stay on  an activity for a length of time. And so with that, they develop that skill of learning on their own and persevering, whatever it is that they want to learn. What are some of the difficulties? Working through challenges, making decisions, choices, and so on. And I think that’s one of the things that even in the regular school as a teacher educator, one of the things that I encourage teachers to do is to not just talk to students, but students learn by doing.”

Alma Habet

“So they get everything that they need as a traditional school, except it’s just done in a different way. So, instead of maybe just using books, if they’re going to do a science experiment, they’re actually going to go outdoors and do the real experiment.  It’s not going to just be like reading off from a book or studying or memorizing.”

 

With more students joining every year, this young school is gearing up to grow alongside its children as they move up to higher grades. They’re committed to continuing their journey with the Montessori method, nurturing each child’s development every step of the way. Parents have cited the positive impacts on their children’s development.  One of these parents even mentioned that she chose Mother of Mercy Montessori for her youngest child after experiencing the benefits of Montessori education with her older children abroad.

 

Jocelin Carvajal, Parent, Mother of Mercy Montessori
“I love it. I already told my husband I want my kids to stay there all the way to the elementary position because I have seen them grow and it is just so amazing. I am surprised.”

Tanya Hulse, Parent, Mother of Mercy Montessori
“I remember when I had first gone to a Montessori school, they gave you a whole list of assessments that your child would be able to meet at the end of each program. And so it wasn’t just like learning ABC’s or coloring, there was a whole list of things that they give to you. So I was very happy. And my older children had a very, very good experience. So when I realized that they had a Montessori school here as well, and then those children have grown up and now I have little ones,I thought, you know, it would be perfect.”

Alma Habet

“I think if they want something different, if they’re willing  to learn the method,  it would be a great step forward because the children can have better critical thinking and even speak out when they need to. They have freedom with boundaries, so we still need to discipline, but it’s more of  a respectful way, not what the guide wants or what the parent wants only. So there’s a lot of sacrifice on the part of the adult.”

 

Looking on the Bright Side, Im Sabreena Daly

 

If you are interested in learning more about the Mother of Mercy Montessori, you can contact info@motherofmercymontessori.com or call 223-7073