Who was Maria Montessori?
Dr. Maria Montessori, Italy’s first woman physician, developed a unique approach to the education of young children through scientific observation and rigorous experimentation. Noticing children’s motivation towards independence and their innate desire to learn, she designed an environment scaled to the child and capitalizing on developmental periods of sensitivity to certain stimuli.
The Method
Each and every exercise, piece of equipment and method Montessori developed was based on what she observed children doing naturally by themselves. Through this, she developed the “follow the child” theory. Children will learn and retain appropriate actions, behaviors, language, and skills if they are interested in what they are doing and if the environment lends itself to these periods of interest. Each piece of Montessori equipment provides a concrete experience from which a child absorbs basic concepts necessary for success in our complex society. The child learns by doing and teaches himself through the use of self-correcting materials.
By allowing the child to choose the materials which fulfill the inner needs of each sensitive period, the Montessori Method gives each child the individualized opportunity to learn at his own pace and maximize his potential. A child’s brain is like a sponge. Children, in general, have a need to explore and touch everything in order to learn through discovery. Because they want to touch everything, they have a high interest in most things that stimulate all their senses, such as smells, colors, tastes, etc.
Classroom Environment
The Montessori environment offers children the best chance to learn as they have the freedom to explore the materials, move about the room and encounter social situations with other children. Once children have been given the tools and basic information to use a range of materials constructively, they choose for themselves which materials they would like to work with and can work independently with them. Within this freedom, the classroom still maintains more structure and order than traditional methods. In this type of an environment, children are able to work at their own pace which allows for the development of independence, self-discipline, concentration and self confidence. Through social encounters, children learn to take responsibility for themselves and their work. Maintaining the classroom becomes a routine that they all take part in and enjoy. The Montessori classroom becomes a thriving community in which everyone takes pride in everything they do.
Age Grouping
People often ask why Montessori classrooms are made up of mixed ages. This serves a developmental purpose for the child. The younger children have the opportunity to see what the older children are doing which prepares their interest for that lesson in the future. The older children are able to give lessons to the younger children, reinforcing what they have been learning..
The ungraded classroom and mixed age grouping provides a family atmosphere and natural social interactions. The older children are role models for the younger and take pride in aiding them in following classroom rules and using new materials.
Can Montessori Students Function in “Normal” Schools
The skills, work habits, and character traits fostered by a Montessori education easily transfer to a traditional school situation because the child has been encouraged to be independent in his mastery of skills and a concrete foundation has been laid for the demands of the elementary grades.
Three Way Partnership
The Teacher
The three most important (all equally important) elements are the child, the school and the home environment. The teacher serves as a bridge between the child and the child’s discovery of what the school environment has to offer. The teacher surrounds the children with peace, goodness, respect, responds to each individual child at his or her level of ability, readiness and interest on a one-to-one basis… a startling concept in this era of mass education and conformity.
The student
The child works to perfect him/herself and in doing so, should gain a great sense of self-pride and confidence. Each student is responsible for their personal choices, both academically and socially, within the Montessori holistic framework. Students are responsible for attaining their goals, in a timely fashion, as decided upon by the teacher and student.
The Home Environment
Montessori parents are responsible for continuing the lessons of personal responsibility and respect of others at home. Each student should review their work on a weekly basis with their parent. Make sure your child comes with the necessary equipment, has a good night’s sleep, and eats a healthy breakfast before school. The parent is also responsible for incorporating all aspects of Practical Life, as they are mastered by the student in school, into the home environment.
For further information on this topic, please contact the school 480-636-1071 for a private tour.