SANDPOINT — In the late 1800s, Dr. Maria Montessori began to develop her educational philosophy, which was centered around experiential learning with a basic principle of "follow the child."

Over the course of many years after starting her first school, she refined her philosophy and methods.

The North Idaho Montessori School will follow the Montessori philosophy in nurturing the academic side of child development, as well as the whole child — cognitive, social, emotional and physical development — for children between the ages of 6 weeks and 6 years.

"It's similar to the Waldorf philosophy, but there are some distinct differences," said Amanda Mann, founder and director of the new Montessori school.

One distinct difference, she said, is the Montessori philosophy focuses less on imaginative learning and more on hands-on learning.

Mann is a Sandpoint native and after graduating from the University of Idaho with a degree early childhood development and special education, Mann said she always wanted to open a school.

Her daughter Nina, who is almost 2, was her inspiration to open the Montessori school.

"I thought I would home-school her, but a huge portion of Montessori is social interaction and working with your peers, and teaching them how to work with peers, and cooperative play rather than competition," Mann said. "So that was a huge reason why I started this, because we only want one child, I want something for her."

After her daughter was born, a lot of parents were reaching out to her for help with their children, and in talking with some of her friends, Mann said she realized there was a need for an alternative school for little ones in the area. Daycares and private schools in the area have long waiting lists, she said, because there is such a demand for those resources.

"There are so many students who need alternative care, and parents want to send their kids to alternative schools and daycare options, but there just aren't enough out there," Mann said.

So she decided to do it, and although she originally planned to open in the fall, everything fell into place and Mann opened the school about three weeks ago.

One thing Mann said she and her staff take pride in is the teacher-to-student ratios are "significantly less" than others in the area. For example, the state allows six infants per teacher, but at the Montessori school, the ratio is half of that with three infants per teacher.

The school is divided into three programs, including the infant room for ages 6 weeks to 12 months, the toddler room for ages 12-36 months, and the early childhood room for ages 3-6 years.

Each program focuses on the "sensitive period" for that age group. Infants, for example, are in a sensitive period for movement, sensory perception and language. The toddlers are in a sensitive period for language, small objects, order, music, grace, courtesy and sensory impressions. Early childhood is a sensitive period for language, small objects, order, music, grace, courtesy, sensory impressions, writing, reading, mathematics, and spatial relationships.

An open house is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Monday at the North Idaho Montessori School, 1205 Highway 200, Suite 101.

For more information, go online to northidahomontessori.com.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.