What is Montessori learning?

Montessori education is a child-centered teaching method based on the belief that children can learn through their own experiences and at their own pace. This teaching model sees the child as the determining force in their own education and encourages independence and hands-on learning. .Children are grouped by age group rather than grade level, and the teacher makes it easy to explore and collaborate.

 

The Montessori classroom is set up with various work or activity stations, and children are encouraged to complete each "task" themselves. swing. The teacher moves from station to station providing guidance rather than teaching at the front of the classroom.The assessment is non-traditional and focuses more on the social, emotional, intellectual and physical development of the child as a whole, compared to a standardized score. The most lasting outcome of the Montessori environment is evident in adulthood: A recent study found that adults who spent at least two years in a Montessori environment as children report greater well-being than adults.

 

Who was Maria Montessori?

The Montessori method was developed by Dr.Maria Montessori (1870-1952), Italian physician and anthropologist and one of the first women in Italy to earn a medical degree. dr Montessori dedicated her life to understanding child development. In her observations of children and their reactions to the environment. , found that children exceeded expectations when given the tools to be independent, self-directed learners.She also insisted that children have a natural curiosity and love forwork when properly encouraged.

 

Dr Montessori developed over many years the various structures and concepts that can be found in today's Montessori teaching, and to ensure the quality of her methods, she founded the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) in 1929, which still conducts teacher training today.

 

Montessori vs. Traditional Preschool Education

For many parents, the decision to attend preschool lays the foundation for how their child will learn for years to come. The Montessori preschool environment is very different from the traditional environment. First of all, most traditional preschools focus on play and socializing. In a Montessori preschool, a child's interactions are viewed as "work" and part of the building blocks for later learning. The traditional preschool regards the teacher as the main source of instruction, while theThe Montessori preschool allows the child to direct their lessons, with the teacher observing and assisting where necessary. As a result of this structure, all children in the traditional setting learn the same things in the same way and are expected to meet the same benchmarks. In contrast, the Montessori setting encourages individualized learning with less structure and more child-led assessment. For many parents, particularly those with children with special needs, Montessori Preschool encourages the holistic

development of their children at a natural pace rather than within a standardized framework.

 

Benefits of Montessori Education

There are numerous benefits to learning in a Montessori environment.

Prepared environment: For Montessori teachers, the success of the Montessori method largely depends on the environment. DRMontessori outlined six key principles for creating a prepared environment: freedom, structure and order, beauty, nature and reality, social environment, and intellectual environment. Each principle focuses on maximizing the child's learning and growth.

Practical Learning: Dr. The Montessori philosophy of “Follow the child” is a guiding principle in Montessori learning. Children are seen as capable individuals, and the lessons or materials that engage them reflect their interests and abilities.Most Montessori classrooms are a playroom and workshop filled with sensory materials to develop concentration and coordination.

Imagination: The most notable advantage of Montessori pedagogy is that children become curious and imaginative learners. Oftentimes, teachers model intrinsic motivation by asking children questions and praising their efforts rather than completing a task. In response, children learn to think creatively and to approach new obstacles with confidence and curiosity.

Independence: Even the youngest are encouraged to work independently from day one. Solve problems.If accidents occur, the teacher addresses them and shows the child how to correct the situation. Children learn to ask for help when they need it, but quickly learn that they are capable of more than they thought. As a result, children gain a sense of independence and confidence in their abilities much faster than in a traditional school.

How Each Program Differs for Each Grade Level

Rather than dividing children into different classes by age or grade level, the Montessori setting focuses on mixed age and grade groups. .This philosophy allows the child to have autonomy and fluency in their development. Typically, the different groups in Montessori are:

 

Infants and Toddlers (0-3 years): Focuses on providing a safe and nurturing environment for the child to begin exploring, trusting and developing independence. 

Primary School (3 to 6 years): Focuses on promoting independence, self-regulation, clear communication, sensory perception and the development of literacy and mathematical understanding.

 

Elementary (Primary, 6-9 years and Advanced, 9-12 years): Focuses on collaborative exploration and supports the development of confidence, imagination, intellectual independence, self-efficacy and community engagement.

 

Adolescence (12-15 years): Focuses on understanding oneself in a larger frame of reference, providing context for practical application of academics, and supporting the development of self-expression, autonomy and interpersonal relationships.

 

Montessori learning allows children to progress at their own pace and when a child is ready for the next level or stage, the teacher guides them regardless of age. In this way, the developmental needs of the child are met in a targeted and consistent manner.

 

Why teach Montessori?

If you are the type of educator who values ​​a child's holistic development and respects their innate desire and ability to learn, then Montessori could be the perfect method for you. Whether you are interested in early childhood education or not. -Licensed educational studies, such as B. Instructional design, the Montessori method develops educators who are patient, observational, and creative in the way they guide their students. In addition, Montessori teachers are highly specialized in developmental psychology and education.

To become a Montessori teacher, you must first earn a bachelor's degree in education or a related field. The next step is to find an accredited Montessori training center through the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) website. There are several levels of certification, and you should determine which certification is right for your career path. If you enroll, you can expect to complete your training program in a year or two.

 

Parents' Perspectives on Montessori

By valuing their child as a guide to their own development, parents can also see the positive effects of learning Montessori at home, making it a popular alternative to homeschooling. For example, mealtime can be a struggle for many parents with young children. , especially if you apply the traditional philosophy of "you must wash your plate after dinner". This perspective generates much discussion around the table and reinforces that the child cannot make decisions for himself or know the limits of his own body. On the contrary, the Montessori perspective is that the child has the ability to choose the amount of food he needs and encourages him to consider the signals (feeling hungry or full) his body is giving him when eating.Parents who adopt a Montessori philosophy when it comes to dinner often start with smaller portions and let the child decide for themselves if they want to eat more. They also ask questions, just like the teacher does in the classroom, to encourage active thinking when making food choices. , many parents reflect that children in a Montessori environment become more confident in math and reading and demonstrate a greater sense of conflict resolution and emotional intelligence.

Myths about Montessori

As with any alternative method or philosophy, myths can arise. Here are some common myths about Montessori pedagogy that will be debunked:

 

Myth: Montessori teachers don't teach. Fact: Montessori teachers are highly qualified educators who serve as guides and promoters for a child's independence.

 

Myth: Montessori is religious.Fact: Montessori is secular in its methods but encourages exploration and respect for all spiritual practices.

 

Myth: Montessori is only for gifted children. fact: dr Montessori developed her methods while working with children with disabilities and firmly believed that all children have the ability to learn and succeed.

 

Myth: The Montessori curriculum is not rigorous enough.Reality: The Montessori curriculum is a cross-curricular approach that enables children to learn multiple subjects simultaneously, at a deeper level than traditional approaches to learning.

 

Conclusion

Dr Montessori once said, “My vision of the future is no longer that of people taking exams and processing that certification… but of individuals moving, through their own activity and effort of will, from one level of independence to a higher one that constitutes the inner development of the individual.” Traditional learning places a strong emphasis on standardized tests and benchmarks, while the Montessori classroom provides a place for growth and development by valuing the child as a developing individual, capable of creating their own determine skills and interests.