Aiming to improve child and family health through community- and hospital-based initiatives, the Community Health Division of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC is adding the Montessori method of educational philosophy to its service base.

QUIET TIME—Quincy Germany, 4, spends some quiet time in the reading section of the school.

“Focusing on the well-being of the whole child, our goal is to prepare children ages three to five to be successful throughout their school years and to provide a firm foundation for adulthood,” said Brenda Gregg, director of community health.

“The Montessori method is unique. It uses a tracking system, developmental assessments and other tools that can contribute to the success of a student,” she said.                                                                                                          

A different approach to education, the Montessori model was developed in 1907 by Italy’s first woman physician, Dr. Maria Montessori. Her method is based on scientific observation of children’s learning processes.

Believing that children teach themselves, she designed a “prepared environment” in which children could freely choose from a number of developmentally appropriate activities. The concept emphasizes learning through the five senses, as well as listening, watching and reading. Children learn at their individual pace and according to their own choice of activities from hundreds of possibilities.    

According to the organization’s Web site, the Montessori method is viewed as an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline and a love of learning. Montessori classes place children in three-year age groups (3-6, 6-9, 9-12), forming communities in which older children spontaneously share their knowledge with the younger ones.   

Adding to the small number of Montessori schools in the area, Gregg says through her department Children’s Hospital is providing an alternative to education for their clients. Housed in the Braddock Family Care Connection Center, the school is equipped to handle up to 40 students; children from any community and all of the five FCC centers are eligible to enroll in the school at a reasonable cost.  Other centers are located in Turtle Creek, Rankin, Wilkinsburg, Lawrenceville and Mt. Oliver.

“This is a good opportunity for children to be taught in an environment that allows them to learn at their own pace and gain valuable skills,” said Doreen Glover, Montessori site coordinator.

Serving more than 1,000 families and 1,700 children ranging from infancy to 18, the Family Care Connections centers offer family support programming to:

•Enhance the relationships between parents and their children;

•Improve maternal and child health;

•Address school readiness through child development activities and assessments;

•Prevent child abuse and neglect; and

•Kindergarten Readiness Classes strengthen early reading, math and language skills through activities such as sorting, counting, classifying, number and letter recognition.

In keeping with Community Health services, FCC Site Coordinator Charlotte Byrd said the staff provides home visiting, on-site programming and consultation, referral and linkages to a vast number of community agencies and child development and parenting education and community-building activities. She also points out that they work closely with the medical staff of Children’s Primary Care Centers to strengthen critical links with families in improving the well-being of their children.

Employed by Children’s for more than 30 years, Gregg said she believes in the hospital’s desire to offer more than just medical services.

“We provide support through team work. Doctors, nurses, community leaders, families and even the patient play an important role in what we do.” Stating the UPMC slogan: “If you have kids, be glad you have Children’s,” she said.