What Is Montessori?
Montessori is a philosophy with the fundamental tenet that a
child learns best within a social environment, which supports
each individual’s unique development.
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.
Montessori’s dynamic theories included such
revolutionary premises as:
-
1) Children are to be respected as different from adults
and 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 posses unusual sensitivity and mental powers
for absorbing and learning from their environment, which
includes people as well as materials.
What makes Montessori education unique?
The “whole child “ approach. The primary goal
of a Montessori program is to help each child reach full potential
in all areas of life. Activities promote the development of
social skills, emotional growth, and physical coordination
as well as cognitive preparation.
The “Prepared Environment.” In order for self-directed
learning to take place, the whole learning environment (room,
materials and social climate) must be supportive of the learner.
The teacher provides necessary resources, including opportunities
for children to function in a safe and positive climate.
The Montessori materials: Dr. Montessori’s observations
of the kinds of “toys” which children enjoy and
return to play with repeatedly lead her to design a number
of multi sensory, sequential and self correcting materials
which facilitate the learning of skills and concepts.
The teacher: originally called a “Directress”,
the Montessori teacher functions as a designer of the environment,
resource person, role model, demonstrator, record-keeper and
meticulous observer of each child’s behavior and growth.
Are Visitors Welcome In The Facility
Visitors are welcome to observe our school. Please call if
you would like to make an appointment.
Is It For All Children? *
The Montessori system has been used
successfully with children between the ages two and half
and eighteen from all socio-economic levels, representing those
in regular classes as well as gifted, retarded, emotionally
disturbed, and physically handicapped. Because of its individual
approach, it is uniquely suited to public education, where
children of many backgrounds are grouped together. It is
appropriate for classes in which the student teacher ratio
is high because children learn at an early age to work independently.
Is The Child Free To Do What He Chooses
In The Classroom? *
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.
What Does The Directress Do? *
The directress works with individual
children, introduces materials, and gives guidance where
needed. One of her primary tasks is careful observation of
each child in order to determine his needs and to gain knowledge
she needs in preparing the environment to aid his growth. Her
method of teaching is indirect in that she neither imposes
upon the child, as in direct teaching, nor abandons him as
a non-directive, permissive approach. Rather, she is constantly
alert to the direction in which the child himself has indicated
he wishes to go and she actively seeks ways to help him accomplish
his goals.
What Does It Do For The Child? *
The goals of Montessori for
children are several: it encourages self-discipline, self-knowledge,
and independence, as well as enthusiasm fir learning, and
oraganized approach to problem-solving, and academic skills.
What Happens When Children Go From A
Montessori Class To A Traditional Class? *
Most children appear to adjust readily to
new classroom situations. In all likelihood this is because
they have developed self-discipline and independence in the
Montessori Environment.
* Courtesy of Paul Lillard, author of Montessori – A
Modern Approach
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