In many schools nowadays competition amongst children is used as a tool and incentive in learning, whether this be who can get the highest test scores, who will win an award, or who can finish an exercise first.

Competition promotes the idea that finishing first or winning against others is more important then truly understanding and processing concepts, and internally building these processes and concepts into the development of each child as an individual. Children may be unfairly forced into competition with their peers who may be more gifted in certain areas, while their own strengths are not recognised or included in the grading system. In a competitive learning setting children will feel the need to prove they are adequate only relative to others, which takes away from building their own sense of independence and self-esteem.

Dr. Montessori observed that competition was not an effective tool to motivate learners, and that children will learn because they are interested and love learning, not because they will get the best mark in their class. At a Montessori school the Guide will allow competition to develop naturally without interference (unless necessary) as it is a natural component of a child’s development and integral part of human nature, but it will be voluntary and not forced upon them.

Students in Montessori follow their own blueprint, working out who they are as independent beings, and becoming what/who they are meant to be. They are free to follow their “essence” – their true nature. They compete with themselves, not their peers, and are encouraged to meet and exceed expectations they have of themselves. Children are less afraid to make mistakes when working independently without competition, and will learn that they can try again without embarrassment or judgement if they don’t get it right the first time.

Montessori is about loving the process of learning, not the outcome of being a winner. Children are encouraged to do and be their “best selves”, and will contribute to society positively and independently as a result of this learning. Children are not judged – they are nurtured and gain internal satisfaction from what they achieve, as opposed to working for outside praise or rewards. Collaboration instead of competition is encouraged. The sense of improving their personal best pushes children forward, not the fact that someone else has to fail in order to succeed, as for every ‘winner’ there is also a ‘loser’.

Competition can be facilitated when already present in a Montessori learning environment but in a way that it is guided through intrinsic motivation and without the artificial motivation tools of judgement or prizes. The focus should be on taking part rather then an outcome, and the development of personal discipline, learning, self-assessment and collaboration.

Support Us

We are the only authentic Montessori school in the Algarve and as of last year have been completely full with a long waiting list. Our current building only has 2 classrooms and we are in desperate need of a new building in which to expand so that we can offer Montessori education to more children, as well as to offer middle school and high school education levels.

To do this, we need your help and have created a new building fund managed through our partner charitable association to support our goal of creating a wonderful new and larger facility to provide the best education to our students.

Please support us. In exchange we can offer you acknowledgement on our website and other social media, discounts on tuition if you would like to enrol your child with us, and naming rights on certain facilities in the new school.

For more information about this, please email us.

Admissions

Thank you for your interest in Eden for your child(ren). Please view the following documents for more information. If you would like schedule a visit, please fill in the application form first and send it to us, and we will contact you about a visit. 

Price List 2023-24
School Calendar 2023-24
Application Form
Admissions Process

Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information using the form below.

Contact Form

Phone Us

00351 289 513 294

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Our EDEN

is a diversified landscape

Our MONTESSORI

means, academic excellence

Our SCHOOL

is our community
and we aim for connection

EDEN Montessori International School

Cx. Postal 835T, E.N. 125
Fontainhas - Pinhal
8200-560 Ferreiras
Albufeira

Phone Us

00351 289 513 294

Where to find us

Cx. Postal 835T, E.N. 125,

Fontainhas - Pinhal,

8200-560 Ferreiras, Albufeira