Success in school is linked to the extent to which children believe they are capable and independent human beings. If they knew the words, even very young children would ask: “Help me learn to do it for myself!” Maria Montessori
Montessori Philosophy Teaches Children to Think, Collaborate, and Discover
Montessori education is designed to help individual students discover and develop their unique talents. The purpose of Montessori Education is to be creative in addressing each student’s individuality. The Montessori Method recognizes students learn at different speeds and need varying teaching techniques. Dr. Montessori, through research and observation, understood that children do not learn by lecture and memorizing text, as is customary in traditional classrooms.
She believed that children learn successfully and retain material through tactile and direct contact with their surroundings. Dr. Montessori understood that children need to manipulate and investigate everything which peaks their interest. This led Montessori to stress the prime importance of physical learning tools and the development of the Montessori materials for mathematics, sensory development, language, science, history and geography.
Montessori Method Materials
The Montessori learning materials are tools used to fuel the child into sound thought and discovery. They are stimulating and simple; each is carefully designed to appeal to children from preschool, kindergarten into adolescence and adulthood. Each material isolates and teaches one skill or concept at a time as the child is ready. Montessori carefully analyzed the sequence and presentation for easy mastery of the classroom materials.
The teacher arranges the materials on the shelf following their sequence in the curriculum flowchart. The materials are displayed on a low open shelf ,easily available to even the preschool child. Each learning tool has a specific place on the shelf, arranged from the upper-left-hand corner to the lower right. Materials are kept at all times in sequential order, from the simplest to the most complex, and from the most concrete to the most abstract.
Montessori Classroom
The Montessori Classroom is referred to as “The Children’s House.” The children are spread around the classroom, working alone or with one or two others. They can be working at a desk, blackboard, on mats scattered around the room. When they are hungry they prepare snacks for themselves and other. Even the youngest children clean up their mess and goes to the bathroom by themselves.
The teacher does not have a desk in the classroom. Teachers will be found working with one or two children at a time, advising, presenting a new lesson, or quietly observing the class at work. This is a true community of young children. They move freely within the rooms, selecting work that captures their interest, rather than passively participating in lessons and projects selected by the teacher.
Parents are often astonished to see quiet and calm small children in Montessori classrooms. The children learn grace and courtesy from the start. In addition, they have two to three hours to work uninterrupted while mastering materials. Montessori education truly makes the child feel capable and important.
Sources:
Lillard, Paula. Montessori Today: A comprehensive Approach to Education from Birth to Adulthood. New York: Schocken Books, 1996.
Pedersen, Heather. What is Montessori?: A Basic Guide to the Principles, Practices, and Benefits of a Montessori Education. California: Sandpiper Press LLC, 2008.
Wolf, Aline. A Parents' Guide to the Montessori Classroom. Pennsylvania: Parent Child Press, 1995.
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