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Laren Montessori School was established in 1965 by Mary Catherine (Henneberry) Prendergast. The school has occupied its present site since 1974.
Laren is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation and as such admits children of any race, color, national and ethnic origin.
The policy of the school is determined by a board of directors who are elected by the parents of the school. Parents are also required to participate by assigning themselves to various committees which help with the upkeep of the building and classrooms and various parts of the program. Our parents are also responsible for annual fundraising events.
Organization of Classes
Children between the ages of 3 and 5 are accepted as new students. Classes are offered 3 or 5 days a week, half day and full day. In the full day preschool and kindergarten programs a child spends half day in a Montessori environment and half day in a traditional environment. We also offer before and after school care.
To Apply
Parents are invited to visit Laren before or at the time of applying. Appointments to observe classes can be made through the school office.
Please call 708-339-4274 for more information.
The Montessori Method and Philosophy
Maria Montessori, born in Ancona, Italy in 1870 and the first woman to graduate from the University of Rome Medical School, developed this method of educating young children. Her method evolved through observation, with a sentitive eye, to the interests and needs of the child.
The child learns to work by him or herself in the prepared environment of the class while enjoying the presence of other children. Learning tasks center around the use of many materials, which are so designed that they test each child understands and correct errors at every step in the learning process. The teacher prepares the environment, directs the activity, functions as the authority, and offers the child stimulation, but it is the child who learns through the motivation he or she finds in the work itself.
The Objectives of Laren Montessori School
The Purpose of Laren is to provide an early education program in which the foundations for a lifetime of creative learning are developed effectively and efficiently within the child. We do this by surrounding the child with maximum motivation and the opportunity to achieve at his or own level.
Laren also helps to develop in children those habits and skills that are essential in becoming efficient students. These include concentration, order, initiative, creative self expression, cooperation, and persistence in completing tasks.
Appropriately designed learning tasks and materials geared to each child's level of learning assure success and develop self confidence. In performing these tasks the child not only learns that work is a source of keen personal enjoyment, but gains a feeling of security and a sense of independence.
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