“The greatest gifts we can give our children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.”
— Maria Montessori
The Montessori philosophy...The Montessori method of education centers on developing the child’s whole self and allowing a child to lead that development. The key principles are:
Follow the Child
Recognize that each child has a unique approach to discovering the world, and this should not be interfered with
Hands-On Learning
Offer tactile learning experiences incorporating sensorial exploration with color, smell, touch, sounds, and taste
Prepared Environment
Provide organized and engaging spaces designed at child's height and eye level to do things without your help
Freedom Within Limits
Allow the child to choose their own learning interests at their own pace with set boundaries and respecting safety
Independence & Movement
Allow freedom of movement and exploration in an engaging atmosphere to best acquire knowledge
Observation
Learn about the child from a scientific and objective perspective to fulfill the child’s current needs
Care
Offer activities that support self-care, respect for people, and care for the environment
Practical Life
Design exercises to help children learn skills used in every day life to gain confidence and develop concentration
Let’s compare…How children acquire knowledge:
Montessori Education
Inspires learning based on the fact that physical exploration and cognition are linked
Traditional Education
Involves children siting at desks and learning from a whiteboard and worksheets
Let’s compare…Learning environment:
Montessori Education
Based on individual child-centered lessons and activities
Traditional Education
Based on teacher-centered lessons and activities
Let’s compare…How children learn:
Montessori Education
Promotes children learning by themselves using self-directed materials and activities
Traditional Education
Promotes children learning from a teacher
Let’s compare…How children participate in learning:
Montessori Education
Encourages active learning with hands-on activities designed to help children learn for themselves
Traditional Education
Encourages passive learning while students listen and are expected to absorb the information
Let’s compare…How children receive validation:
Montessori Education
Encourages children to develop their self-esteem based on an internal sense of pride in their own accomplishments
Traditional Education
Encourages self-esteem coming from an external judgment and validation with grades and rewards
Who is Maria Montessori?
The Italian educator and physician Maria Montessori was the first Italian woman to receive a medical degree. She was the originator of the Montessori method of education for children.
She used what she termed a "prepared environment" to provide an atmosphere for learning and to see the world through children’s eyes. She invented specific learning materials that incorporate five senses and the development of body coordination through games and practical life exercises.
Montessori's view of the nature of the child is that children go through a series of "sensitive periods" having the greatest ability to learn, and these periods should be utilized to the fullest so that the children learn as much as possible. She believed that “work” it’s the own reward to the child, and there is no necessity for other rewards.
More: American Montessori Society Association Montessori Internationale
Montessori myths...1) Pretend play isn’t allowed
The emphasis is on real activities that teach children about the world we live in and give them rich sensory experiences with real people, real places and animals.
Montessori myths...2) Children are forced to do chores
A child’s natural instinct is to help and thrive when given the opportunity to help. This allows them to feel valued and confident!
Montessori myths...3) Montessori children aren’t social and don’t know to share
Children enjoy being around people, but that doesn’t make them social beings. Parallel play is common at a very young age.
Montessori myths...4) Children have complete freedom and do whatever they want
While children are offered choices on what they want to learn, there are also set limits and boundaries to embrace respect for others and their environment.
Montessori myths...5) Montessori is a religious method
The Montessori Method is not affiliated with any religion whatsoever.
Montessori myths...6) Montessori children can’t adapt to traditional school later
The main focus of Montessori education is helping children learn “how to learn.” Rather than memorizing facts, they are encouraged to make new discoveries on their own, which serves children well when they eventually transition to a different learning environment.