Montessori (is pronounced
MON-tuh-SORE-ee) education was founded in 1907 by Dr. Maria Montessori, the first woman in Italy to become a physician. She based her educational methods on scientific observation of children’s learning processes. Guided by her discovery that children teach themselves, Dr. Montessori designed a “prepared environment” in which children could freely choose from a number of developmentally appropriate activities. Now, nearly a century after Maria Montessori’s first “children’s house” in Rome, Montessori education has spread all over the world, spanning ages from birth to adolescence.
Montessori style of learning is an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning. It represents an entirely different approach to education.
At ages 0 to 6 years, Montessori emphasizes learning through all five senses, not just through listening, watching, or reading. Children in Montessori classes learn at their own, individual pace and according to their own choice of activities. Unlike the conventional method of teaching, they are not required to sit and listen to a teacher talk to them as a group/class, but are engaged in individual or group activities of their own, with materials that have been introduced to them one-on-one by the teacher who knows what each child is ready to do.
At above the age 6year, the children are capable to do independent research, create group presentation, dramas, art exhibits, musical productions, science projects, and so forth. There is no limit to what they can create in this kind of intelligently guided freedom. In a Montessori class, there are no text books guided daily teaching routine. There is great respect for the choices of the children, but they easily keep up with and surpass what they would be doing in a more traditional setting. There is no wasted time and children enjoy their work and study, much of the learning comes from sharing and inspiring each other instead of competing with each other.
Montessori education protects the “best” in each child through respect of choice and concentration.
The most important discovery that Dr. Montessori has contributed to the field of child development and education is the fostering of the best in each child. She discovered that in an environment where children are allowed to choose their work and to concentrate for as long as needed on that task, that they come out of this period of concentration refreshed and full of good will toward others. The teachers are trained on how to link the child to the environment who is the real teacher. They know that the children natural goodness and compassion are inborn.
There are no papers turned back with red marks and corrections. Instead the child’s effort and work is respected as it is. The teacher, through extensive observation and record-keeping, plans individual projects to enable each child to learn what he needs in order to improve.
Montessori classes grouped children in mixed ages and abilities in three to six year span (0-3, 3-6, and so on), forming communities in which the older children spontaneously share their knowledge with the younger ones. There is constant interaction, problem solving, child to child teaching, and socialization. Children are challenged according to their ability and never bored.
The learning environment is arranged according to subject area, and children are always free to move around the room instead of staying at desks. There is no limit to how long a child can work with a piece of material. At any one time in a day all subjects — math, language, science, history, geography, art, music, etc., will be being studied, at all levels.
Ages and stages are different from child to child, each person is unique. The role of Montessori education is to prepare the environment, study the child, give clear lessons, step back and support exploration and concentration, and then to observe the miracle of concentration on self-chosen activities and the resulting happiness and compassion toward others. Montessori is a revolutionary method of observing and supporting the natural development of children. Montessori educational practice helps children develop creativity, problem solving, critical thinking and time-management skills, and prepares them to contribute to society and to become fulfilled persons.
