education
SAI KUNG
Montessori
44
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T
ucked away in a quiet corner
of Sai Kung town is a hidden
gem – Sai Kung Montessori;
a charming kindergarten that
provides a lucky group of children
with a genuine, heartfelt, 100-per cent
Montessori education.
Now in its second year, Sai Kung
Montessori was started by Melody
Foerster. Originally from Canada, Melody
was first introduced to the concept
of Montessori 12 years ago through a
friend who was a Montessori teacher.
Having studied neurophysiology in
university, majoring in the evolution
of the nervous system, Melody
became interested in early childhood
development and became completely
sold on the philosophy behind a
Montessori education. Openly in awe of
the work of Montessori creator Dr Maria
Montessori, and with a deeper respect
and understanding of the philosophy that
her degree leant her (and not wanting to
work in a lab), becoming a Montessori
teacher was the perfect fit. “Montessori
education is groundbreaking because it
is the only method of education based
on scientific observation of the child,”
enthuses Melody.
During her nine years teaching
Montessori, Melody has worked in
Beijing, Hangzhou and at another Hong
Kong-based Montessori school, before
deciding to set up her own kindergarten
with Sai Kung Montessori, which today
we have the pleasure of visiting.
As the children arrive for the
afternoon class, each one walks through
the door with a beaming smile and a
helmet (scooting or riding a bike to school
is the best way to travel!). The children
hang up their bags and coats, take off
their shoes and happily wander off to
explore the classroom and take on a
task. There is no rushing them. No telling
them where they need to go. “When
taking off their shoes they can spend five,
10 or 15 minutes because everyone is
learning individually, they don’t have to
rush off,” explains Melody. “The class has
a sense of unlimited time, because you
want quality of interaction; the focus is on
quality and not quantity.” I’m reminded of