
What is a Montessori education?
Discovery Bay ELC delivers an expanded early learning program that incorporates Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) within a Montessori curriculum. But what is a Montessori education? The Montessori program at Discovery Bay offers your child five key areas of study: Practical Life, Sensorial, Mathematics, Language, and Cultural Studies. Let’s explore a Montessori education in more detail!
Dr Maria Montessori
Montessori was developed by Dr Maria Montessori, who used her training as a doctor to observe how children learn. Dr Montessori used what she learnt from those observations to develop what we think is a better way to educate children. After more than 100 years of practice, Dr Montessori’s method of education has delivered success for children around the world.
What are the five principles of Montessori?
A Montessori education is focused on nurturing each child’s potential. This is done by providing learning experiences that will support your child’s physical, emotional, intellectual and social development. The five principles of Montessori are a key pillar of your child’s learning experience at Discovery Bay ELC.
Let’s explore each of the five key principles of Montessori study at Discovery Bay in more detail!
Practical Life
Discovery Bay ELC builds the Montessori life skills to help develop self-awareness, independence, and confidence.
These include exercises and activities that the children in our care observe in everyday life. We want your child to develop independence, concentration and motor skills. The Montessori “Practical Life” activities can include lessons in courtesy and practical life such as cooking and cleaning.


Sensorial
Our early learning centres develop sensory and physical skills including sight, touch, smell, taste, sound, and kinaesthetic.
Sensorial materials that are part of a Montessori education are used to help your children learn what is similar and what is different. It includes the use of colours and shapes, and helping children in our care distinguish between smells, taste and sound.
Sensory work is important as it teach children how to classify and sort – great skills for languages and maths.
Mathematics
At Discovery Bay, kids learn about numbers and basic mathematical functions using practical tools.
We engage with your child to understand mathematical concepts. This is achieved thru hands-on learning experiences. The children in our care learn to count, identify and match numbers and quantities and begin to become aware of basic mathematical functions including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. A key part of a Montessori education.


Language
Our goal is to build communication and language skills. Laying foundations for writing and reading.
The Montessori Language Curriculum will provide your child with knowledge and skills to build their vocabulary and understanding of language.
We help children learn letter sounds and identification and formation. At Discovery Bay, we look to combine sounds to make words, building simple sentences. Practical skills such as writing are experienced.
The skills required for reading, writing and oral language are developed through hands-on experience using the Montessori language materials.
Cultural Studies
Kids learn about the world around them through geography, botany, zoology, science, history, music, and art.
Discovery Bay supports your child to develops an understanding of their community, world and social responsibility. This is done by exploring cultures and developing an understanding and respect for diversity. This includes an appreciation of the arts – music and art.

Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Montessori Programme
At Discovery Bay ELC, the Montessori ‘school’ starts at 3 years of age. The ages of 3 to 6 years old is where your child starts a process of self-construction. Discovery Bay pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programme supports your child with Montessori equipment that is specifically designed to help them absorb knowledge.
At this age, we are guided by your child’s interests. Our educators build discovery paths for each child spanning the core Montessori curriculum, incorporating STEM subjects into the framework for extended learning.
We understand that children learn at their own pace, and Discovery Bay childcare centres fosters the environment where your child is free to explore their emerging talents and interests, while also becoming equipped with the level of education required for entry by their primary school.
Infants and toddlers programme at Discovery Bay
At Discovery Bay ELC, we understand the first three years of a child’s life are the most fundamental in the development of human beings and their potential. Your child’s physical development is phenomenal and apparent and inspires our care and attention.
Those first three years of your child’s life is where intelligence is formed. This is the age your child’s physical and mental development is happening at an extremely rapid pace. They are learning how to move their body, how to communicate their needs, and how to interact with different things around them.
The Discovery Bay philosophy for infants and toddlers enacts a learning approach and curriculum that will guide your child through a range of positive experiences. We will support your child to develop confidence and capability.
Montessori Principles at Discovery Bay
This is where your child gets all the development that Montessori offers, while also being introduced to foundational STEM concepts along the way. The learning approach and curriculum includes the five key principles of Montessori study:-
- Language and Communication
- Sensory
- Mathematics
- Practical Life
- Cultural Studies
At this age, it is vital to guide your child through a range of positive experiences. The discoveries they make at this stage of life form the bedrock of their character and attitude as they grow up.
How is a Montessori education different?
Montessori education for preschool children places an emphasis on self-directed learning, hands-on activities, and collaborative play. At Discovery Bay, our classrooms are where children are given the freedom to choose from a variety of developmentally appropriate activities. We will foster independence and a love for learning for your child.
Our environments are carefully prepared with materials that encourage exploration and sensory development. The team at Discovery Bay acts as a guides, we observe and support rather than direct your child. This allows the children in our care to progress at their own pace. This approach contrasts with traditional education, which often relies on structured schedules and teacher-led instruction, focusing more on rote learning and uniformity.
You can read more about Montessori in Australia here.
Discovery Bay Early Learning Centre and Kindergarten
Montessori and STEM is an integral part of learning at Discovery Bay ELC. All of our childcare centres offer practical real-life learning. Every inch of Discovery Bay has been meticulously created to give your child a wide range of learning experiences. We offer the safest environment possible for your child. Discovery Bay provides nutritionally balanced meals and the highest quality materials are used.