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Is a Montessori education the perfect fit for your little one? Hong Kong offers some of the best Montessori schools for children, from playgroups to preschool and primary school. Here’s what to know about the Montessori school options in Hong Kong.
Many of us have heard of the Montessori method, but what makes this system of education unique? Founded by paediatrician and psychiatrist Maria Montessori in 1907 (it has stood the test of time!), the Montessori approach emphasises nature, creativity, and hands-on learning with gentle guidance provided by the teachers. Children learn about other cultures, animals and plants in addition to reading, language, and mathematical skills. Find out more about what a Montessori education entails and discover the best schools that offer Montessori education in Hong Kong.
Jump To:
How The Montessori Education Method Works
The Key Principles Of Montessori Education
Montessori Schools In Hong Kong
Read More: How To Create A Montessori Environment For Your Child At Home
How The Montessori Education Method Works
The Montessori curriculum focuses on five areas:
Practical life
Sensory awareness
Language
Mathematics
Cultural subjects (geography, zoology, time, history, music, movement, science and art).
All the disciplines tie together in complementary ways.
Teachers or “guides”, as they are called, take their lead from each child, allowing children to learn at their own pace. Montessori programmes encourage a child’s sense of independence and expect a high degree of parental involvement.
Toys and other developmentally appropriate learning materials are laid out in the classroom so a child can see what their choices are and then pick a task — called “work” — according to their interests. Work options include books, puzzle games, art projects, toys that test spatial relations and more.
When they’re done, children put their work back on the shelves and move on to something else. Guides work with children as a group and one-on-one, but most of the interaction is among the children. In a Montessori school, teachers aren’t the only instructors. Older kids often help younger ones learn how to master new skills. That’s why each class has mixed ages. Casa classes (a term often used in Montessori education, otherwise known as Casa Dei Bambini, pre-school or children’s house classes) are for those aged 3 to 6 years.
Read More: International Pre-Nursery, Kindergartens And Preschools In Hong Kong
The Key Principles Of Montessori Education
There are 12 principles of the Montessori method of education including respect for the child, freedom of movement and choice, individualised learning and more. Read more about the 12 principles here.
Some other terms that you may hear in a Montessori environment are:
- Concrete to abstract: A logical way to understand more abstract ideas is by first using concrete examples (for example, using beads grouped in 10s, 100s, etc. to follow certain mathematical concepts).
- Control of error: While using Montessori materials or toys, a child can get instant feedback. This helps them recognise, correct, and learn from mistakes, even without help from an adult.
- Freedom within limits: This is a way to give kids the opportunity to choose their own work while ensuring that their activity is respectful of others and their environment.
- Grace and courtesy: Children learn social skills that they will use throughout their lives, from requesting help, interrupting a conversation politely and also greeting people warmly.
There are plenty of ways that you can create a Montessori environment at home. Because one of the key principles of the Montessori method is the “absorbent mind” (the period from birth to six years being a time of intense mental activity), you can even begin with how you design your nursery!
Read More: Hong Kong International Schools – Where To Send Your Kids For An Global Education
Schools Offering Montessori Education In Hong Kong
Guidepost Montessori – Offering continuity in Montessori education from infancy to primary school
Guidepost Montessori is a worldwide chain of Montessori schools. It has six pre-nurseries and kindergartens in Hong Kong, with three new campuses opening in August. It also has a family club (and a new one opening in Mid-Levels), and a primary school that opened last year.
Offering quality learning for children aged 6 months to 12 years, Guidepost prides itself on its nurturing environment, inspiring teachers and its authentic Montessori methods. Here, children are allowed to feed themselves, choose their own activity, and explore their environment at their own pace. The teachers strike the right balance between making your little one feel safe and loved, while encouraging them to try something new. Book a private tour now at any of its various locations!
Guidepost Montessori, various locations in Hong Kong, 9126 6211, [email protected], www.guidepost.hk
Discovery Montessori School – Combining Montessori education with an IB curriculum
Discovery Montessori School is the first and only IB Montessori School in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia to be accredited as an IB World School by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). This means your child is enjoying the best of the IB and Montessori curriculums, so your children get an individualised and natural learning environment that adopts an inquiry-based curriculum.
Discovery Montessori School And Discovery Montessori Academy, various locations across Hong Kong, 2850 8006 (Central branch), 2987 1201 (Discovery Bay Preschool), 2812 9668 (Discovery Bay Primary School), www.montessori-ami.edu.hk
International Montessori School (IMS) – Bilingual Montessori school for kids from 1 to 12 years
Established in 2002, International Montessori School (IMS)supports students from toddler to elementary years through their authentic Montessori dual-language curriculum. As the only accredited elementary Montessori school in greater China, IMS provides an inclusive education where the individual potential of each child is valued and nurtured.
IMS, various locations across Hong Kong, 2772 2468, www.ims.edu.hk
Read More: Top Bilingual Schools In Hong Kong
Island Children’s Montessori School Hong Kong – Montessori playgroups, nursery and Casa dei Bambini programmes
Island Children’s Montessori offers Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) recognised programmes for children aged 2 to 6 years, as well as Montessori playgroups for 9 months to 3 years old. With a skilled Montessori-trained teaching team, children learn at their own pace and develop social skills, positive work habits, confidence and independence.
ICMS, various locations across Hong Kong, 2387 3033, www.icmh.hk (Island Children’s Montessori Playgroups), www.icms.edu.hk
Read More: Hong Kong School Open Days – School Open Houses, School Visits And Personal Tours
Infinity Montessori Academy
Infinity Montessori Academy provides trilingual Montessori programmes for children aged 1 to 6 years and short courses for children aged 6 to 12 months. The school places a heavy emphasis on educating parents about the Montessori methodology so they can implement similar strategies at home. It claims to be the first and only American Montessori Society AMS-Affiliated Teacher Credential Programme and Member School in Hong Kong.
Infinity Montessori Academy, 8 Somerset Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 3589 6366, www.infinitychildren.com
Little Lantau Montessori Kindergarten (LLMK) – Montessori school that focuses on the learning spaces for its students
Little Lantau Montessori Kindergarten accepts children from 18 months up to 5 years. The toddler class runs in the forest school, an outdoor-themed area named and designed by the children themselves. Using Montessori principles, it follows the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS).
Little Lantau Montessori Kindergarten, Units 12 & 13, G/F Silverview Centre, 8 Ngan Kwong Wan Road, Mui Wo, Lantau Island, Hong Kong, www.littlelantaumontessori.com
Read More: The Best Forest Schools In Hong Kong
Sai Kung Montessori – Montessori school with a Casa dei Bambini programme for kids from 3 to 6 years
Surrounded by nature and wildlife in beautiful Sai Kung town, this school provides a bilingual education for children aged 2.5 to 6 years. It hopes to foster a true sense of interconnectedness and global citizenship within its students.
Sai Kung Montessori, G/F, Unit SB, 787 Tan Cheung, Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, Hong Kong, 5369 8587, www.saikungmontessori.com
Read More: 9 Books To Help Your Child Prepare For The First Day Of Kindergarten
Rosaryhill Kindergarten (RHS) – Multilingual kindergarten with Montessori principles
Rosaryhill Kindergarten first implemented the Montessori learning method into its kindergarten programme (from ages 3 to 6 years) in 2012. It follows all the tenets of Montessori education and has a multi-lingual curriculum (Cantonese, English, Putonghua and Spanish).
Rosaryhill Kindergarten, 41B Stubbs Road, Hong Kong, 2835 5122, www.rhs.edu.hk
Woodland Pre-Schools – Now part of the Guidepost Montessori schools network
Woodland Pre-Schools has been part of the Hong Kong preschool environment since 1978. In August this year, it will transition and join the Guidepost Montessori school network. All three campuses will be reopen and offer authentic Montessori curriculums to its students.
The Woodland Montessori Pre-School, various locations across Hong Kong, 2526 9478, www.woodlandschools.com
Read More: British Schools In Hong Kong – International Schools, Preschools And Secondary Schools
More Schools That Offer Montessori Education In Hong Kong
- Oaktree Montessori Chinese Education – Mandarin-medium Montessori school for children aged 12 months to 6 years. www.eceoaktree.com
- Montessori for Children – Montessori playgroup and Casa dei Bambini (kindergarten) programmes for children up to the age of 6 years. www.mfc.edu.hk
- Little Montessorian – Offers Mandarin-only Montessori education for 6 months to 6 years. www.littlemontessorian.com
Editor’s Note: “Your Guide To Montessori Education: Top Montessori Schools In Hong Kong” was most recently updated in April 2024 by Anita Balagopalan.
