A gift for play

Puzzle playing the Montessori way. Pictures: SARAH WITTMAN

By GEORGIA WESTGARTH

NEXT year a Montessori playgroup will open in Berwick and it has already been helped along with a $1000 State Government grant.
Berwick Montessori Playgroup owner Sarah Wittman said the $1000 would go towards scientifically developed toys for her newborn to three-year-old group.
“Instead of just random toys the Montessori curriculum means the items the children play with are carefully picked and based on my observations and age of the children,” Ms Wittman said.
A trained Montessori teacher of 15 years, this will be the first playgroup Ms Wittman has run solo – but the passionate educator said she would ensure there was enough one-on-one time with each child.
“The maximum number of children I will take is 12, which means I can spend enough time with each child and their parents,” she said.
The playgroup will open in March 2016 at the Berwick Anglican Church.
The $50,000 ‘Great Start Community Playgroup Fund’ has provided money towards playgroups in Endeavour Hills and Berwick.