The Montessori Method, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, has been used for over 100 years across the world. It centres around the child as an eager, capable learner — developing them academically, physically, socially, emotionally and cognitively in a specially prepared environment.
Our classroom is structured to develop your child's skills across practical life, language, mathematics, cultural life and sensorial areas. The mixed-age grouping develops social skills and provides children with both learning and leadership opportunities — older children reinforce their own knowledge by helping younger peers, while younger children are inspired by what lies ahead.
Practical life activities are the foundation of the Montessori classroom. Through everyday tasks — pouring, folding, cutting, buttoning, sweeping and care of the environment — children develop independence, concentration, coordination and a sense of order.
These activities are not simply about completing a task. They build the inner discipline and self-confidence that underpin all future learning. Children who can care for themselves and their environment feel capable, and that confidence carries through everything they do.
Our classroom is designed to encourage and develop every dimension of language — not just reading and writing, but talking, listening and expressing oneself with confidence.
Children are introduced to sandpaper letters early on, tracing the alphabet with their fingers using phonetics-based learning. Once children can sound out the phonetical alphabet, we move to the pink cards where they blend and form three-letter words. The moveable alphabet allows children to form words independently and practise writing. Daily circle time and show-and-tell build public speaking confidence — a skill that serves children for life.
Mathematics is introduced early, always beginning with a concrete understanding of numbers to ten — the foundation of Montessori maths. Our specialised materials help children visualise quantity before moving to abstract concepts.
Rods and numeral cards associate quantities with number symbols. Cards and counters introduce odd and even numbers. Spindle boxes introduce the concept of zero. Once children master numbers to ten, they progress to the decimal system, teens and tens — building genuine mathematical understanding rather than rote memorisation.
Maria Montessori believed everything comes through the senses. Our sensorial activities develop children's ability to identify patterns, make distinctions and bring order to their world.
The pink tower develops discrimination of size — cubes decrease by one centimetre and children build from largest to smallest. The knobless cylinders refine this further while building fine motor skills and concentration. The brown rods develop discrimination of length. The colour box encourages children to identify and grade colours from darkest to lightest.
Culture at Waverley Montessori encompasses geography, botany, zoology, history, music and the arts. Through hands-on exploration of the world around them, children develop a genuine sense of wonder and an understanding of their place in it.
Children learn to identify continents and countries, explore the plant and animal kingdoms, and engage with art and music as natural forms of expression. Cultural studies foster empathy, curiosity and a deep respect for the diversity of life on earth.
Children learn to read, write and do maths through hands-on Montessori materials that make abstract concepts concrete and meaningful.
Mixed-age grouping builds empathy, leadership, patience and respect — children learn as much from each other as from their educators.
Montessori activities are designed to develop deep concentration and persistence — skills that directly prepare children for school and life.
Children are guided to do things for themselves. Self-sufficiency, initiative and confidence are woven into every part of the day.
The prepared environment invites exploration. Children choose their own work, following their natural interests and intrinsic motivation.
Montessori materials introduce order, patterns and logical thinking from an early age — building a strong foundation for all future learning.
