Bryson Christian Montessori School's Philosophy is based on Maria Montessori's teaching methods. As the first Italian woman physician, Dr. Montessori felt early childhood education shouldn't fill the child with facts from a specific course of studies, but rather cultivate a child's own natural desire to learn. In the Montessori classroom, the objective is approached two ways: first, by allowing each child to experience the excitement of learning by his or her own choice (rather than being forced): and second, by helping the student to perfect all his or her natural tools or learning.  This unique approach promotes the whole child.  Each child progresses at his or her own pace, and the child is never made to "fit the program." Activities are designed to meet each child's own developmental interests and abilities at his or her own level. "We stress the process, not product. We fill the mind, not the backpack!" Our classrooms are filled with hands-on-learning materials that each child can manipulate and use to master a wide range of skills through repetition. The multi-age class encourages the younger children to learn from the older children, and the older children to serve as positive role models.  It encourages respect for and understanding of themselves and their friends.