art & music
The arts allow us to express the innermost aspects of ourselves and self-expression is an essential component of the Montessori curriculum. Individual and collective artistic expression—drawing, playing instruments, acting, singing, making a collage or a sculpture—is part of the school day. Musical instruments are on hand for children to explore and play at any time. And a variety of art materials—paints and pencils, as well as sewing, handwork, cutting and pasting utensils—are accessible to them on the shelves, just like all other learning materials. Several times a day there are opportunities to sing in small and large groups.
In the elementary program, students can gather whenever they wish to sing songs or play instruments, either solo or in small groups. During large group gatherings, we sing together daily, integrating singing as a natural part of life at the school. Each month, in the elementary environments, the children organize “mini-concerts” where they sing, dance, or perform a song, either solo or in ensemble with their peers.
Madrid Montessori also offers a popular extracurricular music program. Starting at age 3, we provide classes using the Willems method, allowing children to discover their musical and creative potential and enjoy the benefits of music. This method, developed by Belgian educator Edgar Willems in 20th-century Switzerland, focuses on the connection between human abilities and the fundamental elements of music. From age 5, we offer the opportunity to take private individual lessons with a specialist teacher on instruments such as piano and guitar.
We also offer after-school Art Workshops led by a local artist. Our educational philosophy is reflected in the entire Music & Arts program: learning is process-centered, rather than product-oriented.
