Parents of preschool children are being invited to learn about Montessori education, a unique approach which promotes independence, at this weekend’s Isle of Man Bump, Baby and Toddler Show.

Aspirations Montessori School, which follows the teaching method, will exhibit at the Villa Marina arcade from 11am to 4pm on Sunday, November 2.

Mary Lyons, who set up the school in 2006, said “Many people are unaware that there is a local alternative to mainstream preschool education. We want to show what Montessori early-years teaching has to offer children and how it can act as a strong foundation, preparing them for life.”

Aspirations, which is on Windsor Road in Douglas, was the first of its kind in the Isle of Man and to this day remains the only local Montessori school.

Mary explains that Aspirations follows the principles and educational philosophy of Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori who felt that self-directed work time was key to learning. In a Montessori classroom, there is an emphasis on freedom and children are encouraged to develop their own interests in their own time.

Mary, who has more than 25 years of experience following the teaching philosophy, added “The children learn through natural development. Our aim is to focus on nurturing a child’s natural desire to learn rather than putting pressure on them to perform.”

The school welcomes children from the age of two and is offered on a sessional basis between 8am and 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. This week, the school has also unveiled a new website which can be viewed at www.aspirationsmontessori.im.

Some of the method’s famous graduates include Nobel Prize-winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez, actor George Clooney and Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin.

The Isle of Man Bump Baby and Toddler Show is free to attend and will showcase a range of Manx products and services for people with young children, as well as expectant parents. Further information about the event can be found at www.isleofmanbumpbabyandtoddlershow.com.