advocating for the future
WHAT IS MONTESSORI?
Montessori Education is best described using the words of Maria Montessori, herself:
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"Ours was a house for children, rather than a real school. We had prepared a place for children, where a diffused culture could be assimilated, without any need for direct instruction... Yet these children learned to read and write before they were five, and no one had given them any lessons. At that time it seemed miraculous those children four and a half should be able to write, and that they should have learned without the feeling of having been taught."
"And so we discovered that education is not something which the teacher does, but that it is a natural process which develops spontaneously in the human being. It is not acquired by listening to words, but in virtue of experiences in which the child acts on his environment. The teacher’s task is not to talk, but to prepare and arrange a series of motives for cultural activity in a special environment made for the child."
Dr. Maria Montessori
The Absorbent Mind
HOW IS MONTESSORI DIFFERENT?
Montessori education is very different than what many of us know as traditional education. At the bottom of this simplified list of differences, you will find a link to an in depth look at Montessori.
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1. The Montessori environment/classroom:
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Montessori places high emphasis on providing a learning environment that engages the whole child. By offering materials that spark sensory interest (touch/feel), providing the freedom of movement within the work space and by using materials that encourage self-correction and coordination. A traditional classroom focuses on the use of books, charts and teacher instruction.
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Through the freedom of exploring their learning environment, children are able to choose the materials they wish to work with and are able to self-direct their learning pace allowing for mastery before he or she moves on.
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2. Discipline
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With Montessori, the child is responsible for his or her actions. By allowing the child to be accountable for his or herself, the child's ability to involve themselves in purposeful work and creatively explore their ideas is nurtured. With the freedom to learn, naturally comes responsibility which enforces self-discipline within.
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3. The Role of the Teacher
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Within the Montessori classroom, the role of the teacher is passive. Encouraging the children in all their efforts, the teacher is responsible for providing the materials and learning environment the child needs by simply presenting new concepts and materials after carefully observing the child's progress. Montessori teachers build an environment of calm and order that encourages the children in all their efforts and maintain balance within the classroom.
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4. Mixed-Age Groups/Multi-Grade Classrooms
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Children learn readily from other children! Younger children are eager to learn and older children are eager to teach. The diverse Montessori classroom allows the children to work with others who are older and younger than themselves. The older students serve as role models and mentors for the younger students, and in the process they gain confidence in their own abilities and self-esteem regarding their skill level and expertise.
This format allows all older children to be the leaders of the classroom community – even those children who may be shy or quiet. The younger ones watch the older ones, and in the process they gain a clear vision of what’s expected of them, and have the benefit of working with and learning from their peers as well as the teacher. The classroom community is a direct preparation for life in the family and in the workplace. Communicating and working well with others are important life skills.
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Follow these links for more information Montessori:
