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Namma Shaale

Keywords
Montessori, Bangalore, democratic, school, primary, upper primary,secondary, urban, teaching, learning, india, alternative education, early childhood education

Geographical Location
Bangalore, Karnataka

Languages
English, Kannada

Philosophy
Namma Shaale, located in Bangalore makes every effort to upkeep the tradition of Montessori and is constantly guided by the child in whose service we strive. We welcome you into this world of children, an environment created keeping in mind the needs of the child through all his developmental phases.

The lines of Thomas Henry Huxley inspire - "A man whose mind is stored with the knowledge of the great and fundamental truths of nature and of the laws of her operations, one who ... is full of life and fire, but whose passions are trained to come to heel by a vigorous will, the servant of a tender conscience, who has learned to love all beauty whether of nature or of art, to hate all vileness, and to respect others as himself."

Since the beginning of man's existence, the problem of the child and what to do with him has exercised the population. But really, is there a problem? The child, from the moment of conception is guided by an unseen force directed towards the attainment of an end, that of a fully realized human being. This force cannot but enable the human being to arrive at full potential, unless it is stopped in its path by obstacles that impede its functioning or by lack of facilities to attain its end.

"We know how to find pearls in the shells of oysters, gold in the mountains, and coal in the bowels of the earth, but we are unaware of the creative nebulae that the child hides in himself when he enters this world to renew mankind." - Dr Maria Montessori

Work Description
Our program is described below.

Primary

The Montessori Primary classroom or Children's house is a "living room" for children between 2.5 and 6 years of age. Children choose their work from among self correcting materials displayed on open shelves, and they work in specific areas. Over a period of time, the children develop into a normalized community, working with high concentration and few interruptions. Normalization is a process whereby a child moves from being undisciplined to self disciplined, from disordered to ordered, from distracted to focused, through work in the environment. The process occurs through repeated work with materials that captivate the child's attention. In the Montessori primary, academic competency is a means to an end, and the manipulative are viewed as "materials" for development. In the Montessori primary, five distinct areas constitute the prepared environment:
  • Exercises of practical life
  • Sensorial activities
  • Mathematics
  • Language
  • Cultural activities
The primary environment unifies the social, physical and intellectual functioning of the child. Its important function is to provide children with an early and general foundation that includes a positive attitude towards school, inner security, and a sense of order, pride in the physical environment, abiding curiosity, a habit of concentration, habits of initiative and persistence, the ability to make decisions, self discipline, a sense of responsibility to other members of the class, school and community and above all a joy of learning. This foundation will enable them to acquire more specialized knowledge and skills throughout their school career.

Elementary

The elementary program offers a continuum built on the primary experience. As in the primary, the materials are a means to an end. They are intended to evoke the imagination, to aid abstraction, to generate a worldview about the human task and purpose. The child works within a philosophical system, asking questions about the origins of the universe, the nature of life, people and their differences and so on.

On the factual basis, interdisciplinary studies combine geological, biological, and anthropological science in the study of natural history and world ecology. Mathematics, language, music and arts complete the cosmic education. Studies are integrated not only in terms of subject matter but in terms of moral learning as well, resulting in appreciation and respect for life, moral empathy, and a fundamental belief in progress, the contribution of the individual, the universality of the human condition, and the meaning of true justice.

Erdkinder

Adolescence ushers in a new level of independence that must be provided for in the Montessori environment by increasing activity from the point of view of work level, choices, and planning. Montessori divided the Erdkinder work into two aspects: the practical work emanating from the farm, store, and community work; and the educational studies connecting farm experiences to independent studies that fit into a general academic syllabus. This endows the child with a good measure of self confidence in forging his or her own future, and prepares the young adult to become a true citizen of the world.

The successful incorporation of the required syllabus prepares the children in stepping into their chosen line of further studies with great results. Finally, the Erdkinder is a successfully proven experiment in other parts of the world and we at Namma Shaale are dedicated to the discovery of the true adolescent in transition into a perfect adult.

Namma Shaale admits children of any economic and social class, religious belief and family structure. We believe that admission is not just the school's acceptance of the individual child but the parents embrace of the school and the Montessori approach. Therefore, it is the parents and school's shared commitment to the child and the Montessori philosophy, which forms the basis of the mutual choice to initiate a partnership.

Contact Information
Namma Shaale
No 179, Hennur-Bagalur road
Kannur Post
Bangalore, Karnataka 562149
Phone: (080) 5696 8621


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