"Maria Montessori, was the first woman in Italy to receive a medical degree. She worked in the fields of psychiatry, education and anthropology. She believed each child is born with a unique potential to be revealed, rather than as a "blank slate" waiting to be written upon. Her main contributions to the work of those of us raising and educating children are in these areas:

• Preparing the most natural and life-supporting environments for the child
• Observing the child living freely in this environment
• Continually adapting the environment in order that the chid may fulfill his or her greatest potential, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually."

- International Montessori Index

 "Montessori schools are based upon principle that `...the child, not the teacher, is the construction of man, and so of society...,' it is felt that the, `human teacher can only help the great work that is being done...' `Education is not what the teacher gives; education is a natural process spontaneously carried out by the individual and is aquired not by listening to words but by experiences upon the environment.' Therefore, the teacher's job is to provide the  materials and environment which will aid development and to be ready to respond when help is needed." Every Montessori school follows these principles as they see fit.

     The Lincoln Learning Center's philosophy is to help and strengthen a child's self direction. Using the Montessori materials, we believe each child will develop at their own pace. We offer freedom within a structured environment. Our staff encourages each child to participate in creative and active learning. We believe work is child's play. Children have the natural desire to explore the world around them and learn from it. The LLC respects each child's uniqueness, observes and provides for individual interests and freedom within limits. Our philosophies follow the principles of Maria Montessori's. She belived in a classroom the teacher should be there to help if needed, but to give the child little instruction, asking questions that help with the job, (Which one is bigger? Is this red?).

     It is difficult to determine sucess of the child, because the Montessori way is to encourage the child to develop at their own pace. If a child has not chosen a job in a particular area ( Math or Language) the teacher will guide them to that area next. Our curriculum is much like that of any other Montessori school. There are areas in math, language, sensorial, practical life, cultural, geography and theme units that change monthly.