“Fostering self-confidence, independence, and
the joy of learning.”
Golden Valley, MN
PH: 952-303-2867
EMAIL: ckv0518@fidalgo.net
Welcome!
Welcome to Beautiful Earth Montessori located in Golden Valley, MN.
- a suburb located 5 minutes west of downtown Minneapolis
Beautiful Earth Montessori offers:
- Authentic Montessori education and child care for children 2-1/2 to 6 years of age
- We are licensed as a C-2 Group Family Child Care by the State of Minnesota, and are authorized to provide care for up to 12 children.
We welcome diversity, and believe that a multicultural environment enriches who we are as a community. All are welcome to apply.
Physical Environment
THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE
What we often refer to as a classroom, Maria Montessori termed the "Children's House". She realized that when young children are in a carefully and properly "prepared environment" where activities are designed to support their naturally evolving development, children actually have the innate ability to educate themselves. (She later came to refer to this process as "auto-education".)
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
- We offer a comfortable, spacious, sunny indoor environment situated in a family home; a defined physical area is used exclusively by the children. The children's area includes a large "Children's House" (classroom) which reflects a prepared environment furnished with Montessori materials, tables and chairs that are just the right size for the children. There is also a children's dining area, nap-room, a private bathroom, a small "children's gym," and a private entry--all designed to help children feel at home and that it is their space.
- Though the physical space is ample, the program remains small enough that young children who can sometimes feel lost, disconnected and alone in larger settings, tend to feel comfortable and secure in a more intimate environment.
- The outdoor play area consists of a large, fenced backyard with a large patio--suitable for running activities, ride-on toys, bird watching, gardening, group games, snow sliding in the winter, etc.
In the interest of HEALTH and SAFETY:
~ A WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEM has been installed and is used for drinking water
~ AN ANTI-SCALD DEVICE on faucets prevents burns during handwashing.
Montessori supports the development of the whole child: cognitive, emotional, social and spiritual (values development), helping the child develop his/her potential. It uses the child's natural tendencies to seek order and to explore, helping the child master his/her environment. These learning experiences give the child great joy and self-confidence.
Dr. Montessori referred to the child as having an "absorbent mind" -- referring to sensitive periods in which the child has particular sensitivity to information and is able to acquire skills (such as language) with great ease.
A carefully prepared environment using specific Montessori materials helps the absorbent mind respond to stimuli during sensitive periods, thereby assisting the child's development.
Montessori provides the opportunity for the child to reach potential, yet children are never pressured to perform. The Montessori teacher gives lessons, encourages, & builds on the child's interests. Learning process is child-centered; communications are positive, constructive & supportive, avoiding negative or critical comments. The child develops self-confidence, concentration, respect for self & others, & a life-long love of learning.
FREEDOM AND DISCIPLINE
Throughout the day, children are allowed freedom of movement & freedom to communicate.
At the same time, they learn to be respectful of others, respectful of themselves, and respectful of the environment.
As the child's natural tendencies to seek order, explore & communicate evolve & grow, many inappropriate behaviors that may have been present tend to dissipate. The child develops an Inner-Discipline or control over their own behavior.
THE MONTESSORI GUIDE
She referred to the Montessori teacher as a "Guide", as the educational process was to be child-
centered rather than teacher-centered. The role of the Guide is to observe the child and then present lessons based on the child's abilities, developmental level, and interests. The Guide observes further, representing lessons when the child appears not to understand or is doing a particular activity incorrectly. Rather than criticize the child's efforts, the Guide shows the child what to do or how to do a particular activity correctly, offering guidance and avoiding causing discouragement in the child.
FOLLOW THE CHILD's INTERESTS
Montessori educators are trained to "follow the child". What does this mean? The Montessori educator spends significant time and attention each day observing the child. This allows the Guide to respond to the child's needs and interest rather than impose on the child a predetermined activity. This approach assists the child in developing interests, confidence in his own abilities, and confidence in his own decision-making processes. It is an important component in supporting the child's development.
WHAT IS MONTESSORI?
Areas of Development & Learning
The Four Main Areas include:
~ PRACTICAL LIFE -activities of daily living
~ SENSORIAL -activities that refine the senses
~ LANGUAGE -vocabulary, reading & writing
~ MATH -concept of quantity, decimal system linear counting, & the four operations
Additional Areas Include:
~GEOGRAPHY
~ MUSIC
~ FOREIGN LANGUAGE
~ ART & more . . .
CALENDAR
Beautiful Earth Montessori is a year around program.
Holidays - we are closed on the following days:
New Year’s Eve & New Year's Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day and the day after
Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
Breaks - Specific dates of each break period will be announced two month in advance.
One week - Christmas
One week - Spring Break
One week - during the summer
ENROLLMENT
Beautiful Earth Montessori is a year round program offering Montessori and child care 12 months
per year.
Children may be enrolled at any time during the year when there is an opening.
Summers, however, are optional, but must be pre-arranged.
We provide service for ages 2 1/2 - 6 years.
We encourage parents to continue enrollment through the kindergarten year as this provides consistency for the child relative to academic progress and social relationships.
Scheduling Options Include:
Mon - Thurs
Mon - Fri
Half Days 8 AM - 12:30 PM
Full Days 8 AM - 3:30 PM
Extended Days 8 AM - 4:30 PM
(Customizing of schedule may be considered.)
Rates and Fees
Tuition rates vary with the specific schedule parents choose. Detailed rate information
is provided at the time of the initial meeting and tour.
CCAP is accepted.
Openings Available / Dates
We are now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year.
Contact Us
PHONE: 952-303-2867 Ask for Connie or leave a message
EMAIL: ckv0518@fidalgo.net
ADDRESS: Near Hwy 100 & Duluth St Golden Valley, MN
If you are interested in scheduling a tour and an initial informational meeting
About Maria Montessori
HISTORY OF MONTESSORI
Maria Montessori created and developed the Montessori Method of Education. She was born in 1870 in Italy. Her academic studies included engineering, physics, mathematics, natural sciences, and medicine, graduating from medical school in 1896, and becoming one of the first female doctors in Italy.
In the coming years, she worked with children in surgery, psychiatry, children with mental disorders confined to asylums, and children living in poverty in housing who were left unattended while parents worked.
In 1897 while working with the asylum children, she began to develop the notion of social reform through education. At this point, she made a shift from her identity as a physician to that of educator. On January 6, 1907, she opened her first Casa dei Bambini or "Children’s House".
Dr. Montessori realized that children who were placed in an environment where activities were designed to support their natural development (a "Children's House") had the power to educate themselves, referring to this as "auto-education". She stated:
"I did not invent a method of education, I simply gave some little children a chance to live."
Children in her Casa dei Bambini school were reading and writing at age 5. As news of this success spread, it created a great deal of interest among the public.
In 1909, Dr. Montessori gave her first training course to approximately 100 students. Her notes from this period became her first book, The Montessori Method. This led to a great expansion of Montessori schools and training programs worldwide. In 1929, Dr. Montessori started AMI (Association of Montessori Internationale) for the purpose of continuing her work.
In the 1930's fascism was on the rise in Europe. The fascist movement was in opposition to Montessori education; as a result it closed Montessori schools in Germany and Italy.
In 1939, Dr. Montessori went to India, and in the early 1940's trained over 1500 Indian teachers. During this period, Dr. Montessori's thoughts were turned toward the nature of the relationships among all living things. This became known as Cosmic Education--an approach for ages 6 - 12 Dr. Montessori continued training teachers until she died in 1952.