Every child is unique—bringing with them distinct experiences, personalities, and ways of viewing the world. It is essential that preschools not only recognize but actively nurture this individuality. Unfortunately, in many traditional settings, children are often expected to fit into rigid molds defined by uniform developmental milestones or societal expectations. However, the landscape of early education is evolving. New-age preschools like Footprint Montessori are leading this transformation by embracing change as the new norm.
At Footprint Montessori, the focus is on nurturing a holistic learning environment that respects each child’s individual pace, potential, and preferences. Rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach, the school offers academic flexibility and personalized support, guided by dedicated teachers who have been with the Montessori since its inception—bringing 16 years of experience to help every child discover their unique path. This thoughtful and child-centric approach ensures not just academic readiness, but emotional and social growth as well. As a result, children don’t just learn; they thrive, leaving the school with the confidence and curiosity to make their mark on the world. It is this commitment to individualized learning that has earned Footprint Montessori the trust of parents across the country and recognition as one of Bangalore’s Most Trusted Preschools.
Learning by Doing, Growing by Exploring
At Footprint Montessori, the foundation of learning is built on the authentic Montessori philosophy—one that offers children rich, hands-on experiences that go beyond conventional academics. While children naturally develop core skills in phonics, numeracy, spelling, counting, and writing, the learning environment also introduces them to concepts such as big and small, long and short, rough and smooth, light and heavy, loud and soft—using tactile, 3D didactic materials that make abstract ideas tangible and relatable.
Independence is a central tenet of the Montessori method, and Footprint Montessori integrates it seamlessly into daily routines. Children are gently guided to develop life skills like buttoning their clothes, grooming themselves, and putting on various types of footwear—be it with Velcro, buckles, or laces. They learn to pour water from a jug, serve food onto their plate, rinse it afterward, and place it in the sink—laying the foundation for self-reliance and responsibility from a young age.
Expanding their horizons beyond the classroom, children are introduced to the globe, maps of the world, Asia, India, and Karnataka. Celebrations of all major festivals, explorations of nature like identifying leaf shapes, and lessons on the solar system, space, and global cultures ensure that the world is truly brought into the classroom, offering immersive and meaningful learning experiences.
The Footprint Montessori Way
In a candid conversation that shed light on what truly sets Footprint Montessori apart, Shivamala Narasappa, the visionary Founder and Principal, offered deep insights into the preschool’s distinctively child-centric approach.
When asked how Footprint Montessori fosters independence, creativity, and critical thinking in its young learners, she explained,
“Every activity is thoughtfully designed using child-sized materials. Once introduced by the teacher, the child is free to repeat the activity independently—no adult assistance required. Even during writing sessions, we never hold the child’s hand. Instead, they start by tracing patterns. When their hand gains stability, they naturally progress to copying numbers and letters.”
She emphasized that this environment of guided autonomy sparks natural confidence in children and helps them take charge of their own learning.
Expanding on the creative elements within the curriculum, Shivamala highlighted the importance of sensorial activities in the Montessori classroom:
“These activities open up infinite avenues for creative exploration. Children are also encouraged to express themselves through various art forms—be it with paint, crayons, clay, or chalk.”
The conversation also touched on unique Montessori materials like the Binomial Cube, Trinomial Cube, and Decanomial Square, which are not just visually stimulating but also activate the child’s right brain for spatial reasoning and critical thinking.
Shivamala further explained how linguistic development at Footprint Montessori is intricately linked with cognitive growth:
“At just three years old, children begin spelling and reading words through phonics. This not only supports language development but also engages the left brain in a meaningful process of critical thinking.”
Partners in Progress
At Footprint Montessori, parents are not just spectators in their child’s learning journey—they’re active participants. The school fosters a strong home-school partnership by inviting parents for biannual Parent-Teacher Meetings, as well as regularly engaging them in classroom activities. Whether it’s joining in for Show and Tell, revising concepts at home, reading stories, or speaking about their profession, parents play a vital role in enriching the learning environment.
This collaborative spirit extends into the school’s assessment philosophy as well. Instead of relying on traditional grades or marks, Footprint Montessori uses a detailed report card that lists every Montessori activity the child has been exposed to. Progress is measured through real, meaningful indicators: whether the child completes the activity with assistance, does it independently, or demonstrates the ability to apply the concept in real-life situations. This thoughtful approach not only reflects the child’s actual development but also encourages learning that is deep, personal, and lasting.
Shaping Tomorrow
Looking ahead, Footprint Montessori is driven by a clear and compassionate vision—to extend its reach and impact more young minds in the coming years. As part of its growth plans, the school aims to expand its infrastructure and offerings, providing quality education to a larger community.
From June 2022, Footprint Montessori has been conducting afternoon remedial classes for children who had to attend LKG and UKG online with traditional schools and were struggling with writing, understanding math concepts and for phonics. In 2024-2025, children attending KG in traditional schools, also attended the personalised afternoon classes for phonics and concrete understanding of math concepts.
Aligned with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP), the institution envisions expanding its curriculum up to Grade 5 in the near future—continuing its legacy of holistic, Montessori-based education while integrating contemporary educational frameworks for well-rounded development.
