Maria Montessori

At Kintess School, preparing children for life and learning involves developing essential cognitive skills such as attention and working memory. Inspired by Maria Montessori and enriched by Kintess pedagogy, our approach provides students with varied and stimulating experiences that help them focus, process information effectively, and manage complex tasks. Attention and working memory are naturally engaged through activities tailored to each child’s pace and interests.

Classes often combine two grade levels, promoting peer support, observation, and collaborative learning. Students work in prepared environments including manipulation stations, science and art workshops, reading corners, and discovery labs. These spaces allow children to experiment, manipulate, think, and solve problems independently, while exercising attention and working memory.

Inter-level projects are central to this approach. Each project allows children to explore different dimensions of a common theme, plan activities, test hypotheses, and present results in exhibitions or presentations. This pedagogy enhances concentration, perseverance, critical thinking, and the ability to explain and share discoveries, strengthening both cognitive and social skills.

Experiential learning extends outdoors. In the school park, playground, and during field trips, children apply knowledge in varied contexts, developing attention, curiosity, and practical problem-solving skills. Every experience is designed to stimulate observation, analysis, and reflection, while reinforcing motivation and engagement.

Teachers play a central role by carefully observing each student, adjusting activities to individual needs, and guiding children in research and experimentation. Inclusion and collaboration with families are also essential, enabling every child, regardless of abilities or specific needs, to progress and thrive in a stimulating and safe environment.

Neuroscience research, notably by Stanislas Dehaene and Marc Brackett, shows that developing attention and working memory strengthens brain circuits involved in emotional regulation, planning, problem-solving, and creativity. At Kintess School, preparing children for life and learning means equipping them with the cognitive and emotional tools to become motivated, autonomous learners capable of meeting challenges thoughtfully and effectively.

References:

• Montessori, M. (1967). The Discovery of the Child. Ballantine Books.

À Kintess School, préparer les enfants à la vie et à l’apprentissage passe par le développement de compétences cognitives essentielles, telles que l’attention et la mémoire de travail. Inspirée par Maria Montessori et enrichie par la pédagogie Kintess, notre approche vise à offrir aux élèves des expériences variées et stimulantes qui leur permettent de se concentrer, de traiter l’information efficacement et de gérer des tâches complexes. L’attention et la mémoire de travail sont ainsi mobilisées de manière naturelle à travers des activités adaptées au rythme et aux intérêts de chaque enfant.

Les classes combinent souvent deux niveaux d’âge, favorisant l’entraide, l’observation des pairs et l’apprentissage collaboratif. Les élèves évoluent dans des environnements préparés comprenant des stations de manipulation, des ateliers scientifiques et artistiques, des coins lecture, ainsi que des laboratoires de découvertes. Ces espaces permettent aux enfants d’expérimenter, de manipuler, de réfléchir et de résoudre des problèmes de manière autonome, tout en mobilisant leur attention et leur mémoire de travail.

Les projets inter-niveaux sont au cœur de cette approche. Chaque projet permet aux enfants d’explorer différentes dimensions d’un thème commun, de planifier leurs activités, de tester des hypothèses et de présenter leurs résultats lors d’expositions ou de présentations. Cette pédagogie favorise la concentration, la persévérance, la pensée critique et la capacité à expliquer et partager ses découvertes avec les autres, renforçant ainsi les compétences cognitives et sociales.

L’apprentissage expérimental s’étend à l’extérieur. Dans le parc de l’école, la cour de récréation et lors de sorties pédagogiques, les enfants appliquent leurs connaissances dans des contextes variés, développant leur attention, leur curiosité et leur capacité à résoudre des problèmes de manière pratique. Chaque expérience est pensée pour stimuler l’observation, l’analyse et la réflexion, tout en renforçant la motivation et l’engagement.

Les enseignants jouent un rôle central en observant attentivement chaque élève, en ajustant les activités à ses besoins et en guidant les enfants dans leurs recherches et expérimentations. L’inclusion et la collaboration avec les familles sont également essentielles, permettant à chaque enfant, quelles que soient ses compétences ou ses besoins spécifiques, de progresser et de s’épanouir dans un environnement stimulant et sécurisant.

Les recherches en neurosciences, notamment celles de Stanislas Dehaene et Marc Brackett, montrent que le développement de l’attention et de la mémoire de travail renforce les circuits cérébraux impliqués dans la régulation émotionnelle, la planification, la résolution de problèmes et la créativité. À Kintess School, préparer les enfants à la vie et à l’apprentissage signifie leur donner les outils cognitifs et émotionnels pour devenir des apprenants motivés, autonomes et capables de relever les défis de manière réfléchie et efficace.

Références :

• Montessori, M. (1967). The Discovery of the Child. Ballantine Books.

Kintess’ pedagogical and didactic approach, inspired by Montessori principles and enriched by its own philosophy, guides learning at Kintess School by placing the child at the center of their development. It sees the child as an active participant, capable of nurturing curiosity and autonomy within a thoughtfully prepared and stimulating environment. Every space at Kintess is designed to encourage exploration, hands-on interaction, and discovery, allowing children to build knowledge through concrete, sensory, and intellectual experiences.

Teachers at Kintess carefully observe each child to identify their strengths, interests, and specific needs. This attentive observation allows them to offer activities that stimulate concentration, reflection, and critical thinking. Children are encouraged to plan their actions, solve problems independently, and experiment with different strategies, strengthening their confidence and ability to learn autonomously. Autonomy is not only an academic goal; it is central to the Kintess philosophy, which holds that children learn best when they can choose, explore, and create in a guided way.

Project-based learning is a core element of the Kintess approach. Students work on inter-level projects where each participant contributes according to their skill level and interests. For example, in an environmental project, some children may study local biodiversity, others pollution or natural cycles, and each group prepares a presentation or visual aid to share discoveries with other classes. This sharing promotes listening, collaboration, and openness to different viewpoints, while consolidating knowledge and strengthening intrinsic motivation. Presenting work to peers also teaches children to communicate clearly, justify their choices, and reflect on their work processes.

At Kintess, the emotional and social dimensions are integrated into every project. Teachers support students in managing emotions, empathy, and collaboration. Drawing on Marc Brackett’s work and principles of emotional intelligence, teachers help children recognize their feelings and those of others, develop emotional regulation, and use these skills to learn and collaborate more effectively. This approach links cognitive learning with social and emotional development, making the educational experience more holistic and lasting.

The teacher at Kintess acts as a guide rather than a simple transmitter of knowledge. They adapt activities to individual needs, observe progress, and encourage students to take initiative. If the teacher does not allow students to experiment, make mistakes, or share discoveries, the development of creativity, critical thinking, and curiosity is limited. In contrast, by integrating Montessori methods with the Kintess approach, the teacher creates an environment where learning is active, motivating, and personalized, allowing each child to progress at their own pace.

At Kintess School, Montessori pedagogy is enriched by the Kintess approach, combining autonomy, curiosity, collaborative projects, and knowledge sharing from multiple perspectives. Children learn to think, express themselves, listen to others, and develop essential social, emotional, and cognitive skills. This approach prepares children not only for school but for life, equipping them to become confident, creative, and responsible learners.

References:

• Montessori, M. (1967). The Discovery of the Child. Ballantine Books.