|
Montessori
Why Montessori?
The Montessori education is designed to encourage social,
emotional and physical development of children. The Montessori philosophy
promotes the uniqueness and creativity of each individual child through
a self-directed learning program. With the aid of a Montessori-trained
teacher, the advantage of a homelike environment, and the use of multi-sensory,
sequential learning materials, children are encouraged to explore
and discover in a positive, nurturing atmosphere. This environment
cultivates the child's own natural desire to learn.
Fundamental to the Montessori philosophy is the idea
that there are very specific and separate stages of development. Dr.
Montessori wrote in her book, The Absorbent Mind, "The
most important period of life...is the period before birth to the
age of six." During this sensitive period, a child develops the
skills necessary for an enriched learning experience. For this reason,
the Montessori classroom and curriculum are strongly geared to the
physical size, individual development, and social interests of children.
Maria Montessori was the first woman in Italy to obtain
a medical degree. Her extensive observation and scientific study of
children's behavioral patterns and developmental stages led her to
create a method of education that allows a child to experience the
joys and challenges of learning in a relaxed, non-competitive way.
Dr. Montessori spent over 50 years of her life researching
and developing an educational program that would be most beneficial
to children. Current researchers have reaffirmed the benefits of this
educational philosophy and recommend the implementation of its fundamentals
in modern school systems.
The four major elements of the Montessori method are:
- Individualized education:
Dr. Montessori realized that children are all
different and should not be held to the pace or interest of others.
The Directress prepares an environment suited to the needs of
the child and prepares the child for the environment by presenting
him with lessons on the use of the materials. The child is then
free to explore and use the materials according to his interests
and abilities.
- Prepared environment conducive
to self-discovery: The child is free
to move about the classroom at will, to talk to other children,
to work with any equipment whose purpose he understands, or to
ask the teacher to introduce new material to him. He is not free
to disturb other children at work or to abuse the equipment that
is so important to his development. Children of differing ages
(3-6 years of age) work in a quiet, yet busy atmosphere. There
is a sense of order with everything having a permanent place while
being accessible to all.
- Self-teaching/self-correcting
teaching materials: Montessori materials
introduce abstract concepts in a concrete, "hands-on"
way. There are five main areas of the Montessori classroom: practical
life; sensorial; language; math; sciences; and geography. Each
area is equipped with uniquely designed materials that contain
a built-in "control of error" which enables the child
to see and eventually to understand and correct his errors. The
Directress presents the materials in concise, simple lessons,
so that the child can learn at his own pace.
- A Directress trained in
the Montessori philosophy and methods: The
Directress prepares the environment, perceives the child's needs,
and facilitates the child's growth in learning. The Directress
works with individual children by presenting materials and giving
guidance where needed. Her method of teaching is indirect in that
she neither imposes upon the child nor abandons him as in a non-directive
permissive approach. The Directress is the child's advocate and
has respect for the child's total being.
(back to top)
|
 |
