The Children's House

 

The Children's House operates under the principles of Montessori pedagogy. On average, it accommodates 20-23 children. It is located at Edinburger Straße 39, 13349 Berlin. The Children's House is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with operating hours adjustable according to need.

 

Our Values

 

The Montessori Children's House is a politically and religiously neutral institution. For us, humanity comes first. We oppose discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, origin, ancestry, nationality, language, religion, skin color, disability, political beliefs, or any other reasons.

 

We promote intercultural dialogue and oppose all forms of discrimination. Inclusion is a core value in our institutions, and inclusive pedagogy is a fundamental part of our principles.

Children have the right to life, personal development, and equality, particularly through respect for their opinions and will.

 

All communication among staff and members of Maria Montessori Kinderwelten gGmbH follows a humanistic approach rooted in empathy, inspired by Carl Rogers' person-centered methodology.

 

The protection of families and children, as emphasized in Article 6 of the German Basic Law (GG), Article 16 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (AEMR), and Article 23 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (IPbqR), is paramount for Maria Montessori Kinderwelten gGmbH and the Montessori Children's House Sirius. This commitment reflects our societal responsibility.

 

Our View of Humanity

 

According to Montessori pedagogy, humans are rational beings from birth. Montessori believes that mind and body form a balanced unity, each influencing the other.

"When humanity's work on Earth is connected to its spirit and creative intelligence, then spirit and intelligence must form the center of individual existence (Montessori)."

Every child is like a bulb, already containing the flower within, whether a tulip or a daffodil, red or yellow, small or large.

 

Our role is to nurture and foster this "inner blueprint" guiding development. Each child is born with inherent potential, and our responsibility is to "cultivate" it, just as flowers need water, sunlight, and care. This is done by interacting with children in a patient and age-appropriate manner.

 

Education and Development

 

Every child has the right to education. Education is the process through which individuals form an understanding of the world, take responsibility for shaping it, and experience themselves as capable and self-effective. This concept frames education as a lifelong journey.

 

As outlined in the educational program, there is a distinction between:

The child in their world,

The child in their community,

Experiencing, exploring, and shaping the world.

 

Principles of Montessori Pedagogy

 

Our Children's Houses adhere to Montessori pedagogy. For us, this means embracing children as individuals. They are acknowledged as members of society and autonomous individuals. They are treated with respect and guided lovingly through their developmental journey. The child is always at the center of our efforts, and our professionals support children in acting and thinking independently.

 

The Child in Montessori Pedagogy

 

The Montessori view of the child includes:

Children are the architects of their own development.

Children are respected as individuals and valued as human beings.

Children should learn from their own motivation.

Every child has their own rhythm.

Challenges should be overcome independently.

Children are not compared to one another.

 

According to Maria Montessori's developmental phases model, during the first phase (birth to six years), parents and educators are the most influential factors in a child's development. During this period, impressions and experiences significantly shape the child's personality, skills, mind, and psyche.

 

In this phase, children experience "sensitive periods" during which they are particularly receptive to stimuli from their environment. These phases enhance learning readiness and must be recognized and respected. Providing the right materials at the right time and offering help with challenges is critical. This approach fosters confidence in their abilities and encourages problem-solving skills.

 

Core Motto

 

Our core principle is fostering independence, following Montessori's motto: "Help me do it myself." This principle emphasizes guiding the child without taking over. The child is the actor of their development and, in a prepared, stimulating environment, can decide what they need.

Children are competent and curious, actively exploring their environment. They gain diverse experiences, develop skills, and learn to understand and express their needs and emotions. Each child is respected and valued for their individuality.

 

Creating a Supportive Environment

A secure relationship network supports children in becoming independent, active, and autonomous. Additionally, we encourage children to organize themselves within their peer group.

 

A loving, respectful, and honest interaction with children is a standard in our institution. We see and hear the children, striving to engage with them on an equal level during conversations.

Children explore, investigate, and shape their world and the elements within it through independent activity using all their senses from the moment of birth.

 

This principle aligns with the Berlin Education Program, which also forms the foundation for our work. All our efforts are guided by the Berlin Education Program.

 

Montessori Materials

Montessori materials are designed to enable self-education and self-discipline, supporting the child’s development. Each material emphasizes one characteristic, fostering concentrated focus. Montessori materials fall into categories such as sensory materials, practical life exercises, language, mathematics, and cosmic education. The focused approach enhances learning experiences and success.

 

In addition, natural materials are provided for sensory experiences (e.g., smelling, touching, tasting), as well as mirrors for self-awareness, and materials of varying temperatures.

Through self-education, children gain independent experience with success and failure. Montessori materials include an objective error-checking mechanism, allowing children to review their work without fear of evaluation. They can identify and correct errors, fostering deep engagement and retention of learning content.

 

Social Interaction Through Materials

 

In our institutions, each material is available only once. This fosters social behavior, as children learn to negotiate and respect agreements. Patience, consideration for others, and respect for others’ work are central components of our approach.

 

Spaces in the Children’s House

Library: This quiet, cozy space offers a large mattress and colorful cushions for children to enjoy books, relax, or listen to music and audiobooks. It also serves as a space for small group activities such as project work, language development, and morning circles. A changing table for younger children is also located here.

 

Movement Room: Equipped with climbing walls, balance beams, a hammock, and "Hengstenberg materials," this room offers various opportunities for physical activity. During lunchtime, it serves as a napping area for younger children.

 

Creative Room: With large windows and abundant natural light, this room is perfect for creative exploration. Children can experiment with various materials and techniques for artistic expression. The room also includes games and puzzles.

 

Montessori Room: This is the largest room in the Children's House, featuring accessible shelves with Montessori materials for practical life exercises, mathematics, language, and cosmic education. Work mats and seating areas invite individual or group work. The room also hosts morning circles, small group work, children’s conferences, and parent meetings. A dedicated play area with a doll kitchen and building blocks caters to younger children.

 

Cloakroom: Each child has a personalized spot for their belongings, marked with a unique symbol. A large window provides a view of the street, encouraging observation.

 

Bathroom: Child-friendly facilities include toilets, sinks, and personal hygiene items such as toothbrushes and towels, all marked with individual symbols.

 

Dining Room: Connected to the kitchen, this room doubles as a workspace for activities like puzzles, writing exercises, and group experiments.

 

Kitchen: Daily meals are prepared here, with a focus on nutrition and children’s active participation.

 

Foundation of Our Work

The foundation and minimum standards of our daily work are based on:

Berlin Education Program (BBP)

Daycare Promotion Act (KitaFöG)

Legal regulations for daycare (VO KitaFöG)

Quality agreements (QV TAG)

Social Code VIII (SGB VIII)

General Equal Treatment Act (AGG)

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

Federal Child Protection Act

 

Principles of the Berlin Education Program

 

Body Awareness: Children are encouraged to express their feelings and connect them to their bodily perceptions. Activities like using mirrors, role-playing, and sensory materials help children explore and understand their physical and emotional experiences.

 

Movement: Daily outdoor activities promote motor development and independence. Facilities like climbing walls, balance beams, and play areas provide opportunities for physical exploration.

 

Health: The focus is on balanced, vegetarian, and organic meals, fostering awareness of nutrition's role in health. Children serve themselves and participate in rituals like toothbrushing to promote hygiene.

 

Social and Cultural Environment: Children are introduced to the broader social framework beyond their peer group. They experience democracy through equal participation in decision-making processes, learning to value diversity and cultural differences.

 

Language, Writing, and Media: Recognizing the significance of language in children's experiences, we encourage diverse linguistic interactions. Positive role modeling in language use is emphasized to expand vocabulary and communication skills.

 

Artistic Expression: Creative activities like painting, crafting, and experimenting with materials allow children to process experiences and express their imagination.

 

Music: Music is an integral part of the daily routine, supporting emotional well-being and cognitive development.

 

Mathematics: Montessori materials introduce foundational concepts like numbers, geometry, and measurement through hands-on exploration.

 

Science and Technology: Children explore the physical and biological world through sensory experiences, experiments, and engaging with plants and animals.

 

For further details on the Berlin Education Program, visit Berlin Education Program