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"The child has one intuitive aim: self development. He desperately wants to develop his resources, his ability to cope with a strange, complex world. He wants to do and see and learn for himself through his senses and not through the eyes of an adult. The child who accomplishes this, moves into harmony with his world. He becomes a full person. He is educated."
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Dr. Maria Montessori
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Direct Benefits:
- Independent learning
- Development of motor skills
- Acquirement of a sense of judgement
- Acquirement of self-esteem and self-confidence
- Understanding of materials, their properties and meaningful application
Indirect Benefits:
- Physical, intellectual, creative and social independence
- Development of a sense of enquiry
- Development of a strong motivational drive
- Development of observation skills
- Increase in emotional stability
- Ability to learn without stress
Since the Montessori system ackowledges the uniqueness of each child's personality, it allows the child to choose what they want to learn with the help of a facilitator. Children are allowed a large measure of independence, which in turn is moulded to form the basis of self-discipline. As the children progress at their own pace, the need for coercion is elimated, thus allowing for the development of their understanding and confidence. Hence a Montessori child with hands-on training and a sense of confidence and understanding is well prepared for the future.
The Montessori environment is based on a fine balance between structure and freedom. The concept of freedom coupled with responsibility is gradually introduced after a childs inception into the system. The children have a wide variety of constructive paths to choose from and are also taught social values. In the Montessori system, freedom is being able to clearly identify what is constructive and beneficial, and then have the ability to undertake the task.
The core of the Montessori belief is respect for each other and for the environment. Every Montessori class, regardless of age, works within this framework b allowing freedom within limits. Children are given the freedom to work with or without company, with materials they have chosen and more importantly at their own pace. The teacher relies on his/her observation to decide the level of proficiency attained and further the intensity of activities. The three year age-span in each class allows for a learning space where the more experienced children share what they have learned while reinforcing their own learning. This system of peer group learning is intrinsic to Montessori as there is often more conversation in the Montessori classroom, than that in a conventional educational setting. Hence the Montessori system makes the most of this intense period of fascination for learning and makes it easier for a child to pick up new skills in this 'sensitive period' than at any other time of their life.
Montessori children are extremely adaptable as they have learned to work independently and in groups from an early age. Also since they have been encouraged to make decisions from an early age, Montessori children are problem solvers, who can make independent choices and manage their time efficiently. In short, they are adeptly equipped to face the challenges of school life and further.
How Did It Begin?
Dr. Maria Montessori, the creator of what is called “The Montessori Method of Education”, based this new education on her scientific observations of young children's behavior. She called it “ A Children's House”, and based the program on her observations that young children learn best in a homelike setting, filled with developmentally appropriate materials that provide experiences that contribute to the growth of self-motivated, independent learners. Montessori's dynamic theories included such revolutionary premises as:
- Children are to be respected as different from adults and as individuals who are different from one another.
- Children create themselves through purposeful activity.
- The most important years for learning are from birth to age six.
- Children possess unusual sensitivity and mental powers for absorbing and learning from their environment, which includes people as well as materials.
How does it work?
Each Montessori class, from toddlers through high school, operates on the principle of freedom within limits. Every programs has its set of ground rules which differ from age to age, but is always based on core Montessori beliefs—respect for each other and for the environment.
Children are free to work at their own pace with materials they have chosen, either alone or with others. The teacher relies on her observations of the children to determine which new activities and materials she may introduce to an individual child or to a small or large group.
The three-year-age span in each class provides a family-like grouping where learning can take place naturally. More experienced children share what they have learned while reinforcing their own learning. Because this peer group learning is intrinsic to Montessori,
there is often more conversation—language experiences—in the Montessori classroom than in conventional early education settings. Montessori allows children to experience the excitement of learning by their own choice. Dr. Montessori observed that it was easier for a child to learn a particular skill during the corresponding "sensitive period" than at any other time in life. These are periods of intense fascination for learning a particular skill and are an optimal time to master a new ability.
Will this approach help a child with difficulties in reading, spelling, and math?
A multi-faceted approach to reading and spelling, which includes a phonetic and sight word approach plus the colour-coding of materials, enables children to move at their own pace. Command boxes and movable grammar materials excite the children's interest and help them to accomplish more difficult tasks. Montessori's concrete approach to mathematics allows a clear and simplified understanding of our number system. The materials isolate the difficulties and a control of errors exists within the apparatus. Thus, the child is able to perform the work with minimum interference from an adult and therefore receives the satisfaction of self-accomplishment.
What happens when a child leaves Montessori?
Montessori children are extremely adaptable. They have learned to work independently and in groups. Since they have been encouraged to make decisions from an early age, these children are problem-solvers who can make choices and manage their time well.
They also have been encouraged to exchange ideas and to discuss their work freely with others and they have developed good communication skills, which ease the way into new settings.
Why are Montessori children generally self-confident, out-going and self-reliant?
Montessori is based on a profound respect for each child's personality. Children make decisions about what they will learn, choosing activities selected by the Facilitator (teacher). Children are allowed a large measure of independence, which in turn forms the basis of self-discipline.
As children progress at their own pace and successfully complete the self-correcting exercises, they develop confidence in their ability to understand what they are learning.
This approach helps eliminate the necessity for coercion, which often causes feelings of inferiority and stress for children.
What is the Montessori concept of freedom in the classroom?
The Montessori environment includes a fine balance between structure and freedom. The concept of freedom, a freedom that entails responsibility, is gradually introduced from the time the children enter school. Montessori children have a wide variety of
constructive paths to choose and are also taught social values. Freedom does not involve only being able to do what you want to do. It involves being able to distinguish
what is constructive and beneficial and then being able to carry it out.
Will this approach help a child with difficulties in reading, spelling, and math?
A multi-faceted approach to reading and spelling, which includes a phonetic and sight-word approach, plus the colour-coding of materials, enables children to move at their own pace. Command boxes and movable grammar materials excite the children's interest and help them to accomplish more difficult tasks. Montessori's concrete approach to mathematics allows a clear and simplified understanding of our number system. The materials isolate the difficulties and a control of errors exists within the apparatus. Thus, the child is able to perform the work with minimum interference from an adult and therefore receives the satisfaction of self-accomplishment.
What Happens When a Child Leaves Montessori?
Montessori children are extremely adaptable. They have learned to work independently and in groups. Since they have been encouraged to make decisions from an early age, these children are problem-solvers who can make choices and manage their time well.
They also have been encouraged to exchange ideas and to discuss their work freely with others and they have developed good communication skills, which ease the way into new settings.
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