About Montessori

The Montessori Method: A Proven Success

CMHC has understood for over 36 years what educational research is only discovering – that young children learn best when:

• Their environment is child-sized and materials are used which culminate the child’s natural desire to learn by capturing their curiosity and interests.
• They are free to choose activities appropriate to their level of development rather than being forced to learn facts from a pre-selected curriculum.
• The activities they choose encourage purposeful, independent exploration, and allow for more than one correct response.
• The classroom is a multi-aged environment, closely resembling a family structure and encouraging cooperative efforts with one another in their daily activities.
• The hand is the most important teacher of the child. Concentration is essential for learning and the best way for a child to concentrate is to fix his/her attention on some task performed with the hand. All the equipment in a Montessori classroom invites the child to use his/her hands for learning.

The Montessori Environment: Respect for the Child

• Self-teaching, self-correcting materials allow children to experience the joy of discovery.
• CMHC’s children learn how to become more independent, how to learn and think, communicate with respect, and behave responsibly.
• Children are trusted and treated with respect by their teachers and are encouraged to reciprocate that respect to teachers and peers. They are expected to work out their own social relationships when they can.
• Teachers prepare the children to make a smooth transition to other schools and educational methodologies.

CMHC: Philosophy and History

The mission of CMHC is to support the natural development of children by the use of developmentally appropriate teaching materials which enable the child to learn through a process of education by doing.

The school strives to educate the whole child – body, mind, and spirit – and help him/her achieve maximum growth in the areas of physical growth and development because he/she is motivated from within by a natural curiosity and love of knowledge.

Our teachers strive to develop the “total child”. They believe that a well-adjusted and happy child is eager and ready to learn. Individualized learning, a purposefully structured program of learning in a multi-sensory classroom supports a wide variety of learning styles.

Founded in 1973, CMCH served approximately 40 students between the ages of three and six. All teachers are graduates of certified Montessori teaching programs and have had many years of Montessori teaching experience.

We offer two primary classes for children age three to six.

CMHC was the first Montessori school in Columbia, SC; and has always adhered to a strict policy of non-discrimination on every aspect of the school. Since its inception, the school has worked hard to serve diversity in Columbia, and the children of the school have always been a reflection of that diversity.

The Montessori Education: Seeing Is Believing

Because the Montessori classroom is a unique learning environment, we strongly encourage you to visit our school. By seeing our students in action, and observing the roles of the teachers in their classroom, as well as examining the Montessori materials, you will have a better understanding of what an exciting learning experience a Montessori education can be for your child. Also worth noting, our Parents Information Meeting is held in January of each year.

Please call 256-4794 to schedule a time to visit the school.