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Maria Montessori was an Italian physician, educator and innovator, known for her pioneering work in child development and education. She was one of the the first woman in Italy to earn a medical degree, and became interested in education whilst working with children with special needs and learning barriers.
Montessori pedagogy is an holistic educational approach that emphasises the child’s natural desire to learn and explore the world around him/her. The Montessori method is founded on the belief that children have an innate drive to learn and will do so naturally if given the right environment and tools, this being what is called the “favourable environment”. The approach places much importance on hands-on learning, self-directed activity and collaboration with others.
The Montessori classroom is typically designed with a range of materials and activities that allow the child to explore and learn at his/her own pace. These materials are designed to be self-correcting so as to create an environment where children learn from their own mistakes and make progress independently.
Montessori schools generally encourage children to start at age three as this is considered to be a critical period for development. Maria Montessori believed that children between the ages of three and six years are in a sensitive period for learning and that this is the optimal time to introduce them to the Montessori method.
During this period, children have a strong desire to learn and explore their environment. They are also developing their coordination, language, and social skills. The Montessori approach is designed to take advantage of these sensitive periods by providing children with hands-on learning experiences that promote independence, problem-solving, and creativity.
Starting at age three also allows children to benefit from the full Montessori curriculum, which is typically a three-year program. By starting at age three, children can complete the full cycle of learning, from the early years of activities of everyday living and sensorial exploration to the later years of academic study and social development.
While Montessori schools may accept children at different ages, starting at age three is seen as the ideal time to introduce children to the Montessori method and to help them develop to their full potential.
Montessori education and traditional education are two distinct approaches to learning. The key differences between these two systems include:
Learning environment: Montessori education emphasises an open, child-centered learning environment, whereas traditional education usually has a structured classroom environment with teacher-centered instruction.
Curriculum: Montessori education focuses on child-directed learning, with students learning at their own pace and working on individualised projects, while traditional education follows a predetermined curriculum that is typically set by the teacher or school district.
Teaching method: Montessori education relies heavily on hands-on, experiential learning, whereas traditional education often relies on lectures, memorisation, and rote learning.
Assessment: In Montessori education, assessment is ongoing and integrated into the learning process, with teachers observing and tracking students’ progress, while traditional education typically relies on standardised tests and grades.
Social development: Montessori education emphasises the development of social skills and emotional intelligence alongside academic learning, while traditional education often focuses primarily on academic achievement.
Age groups: Montessori education often groups children of different ages together in multi-age classrooms, while traditional education typically groups students by age.
Overall, Montessori education values individuality, self-directed learning, and social development, while traditional education may value conformity, teacher-centered instruction, and academic achievement.
Montessori educators meet the needs of so many different children by providing a learning environment that is designed to be flexible, adaptive, and responsive to the unique needs and interests of each individual child.
The Montessori approach emphasises individualised learning, which means that educators work closely with each child to understand their unique learning style, strengths, and challenges. Montessori educators use a variety of tools and techniques to assess each child’s needs, including observation, individual learning plans, and conversation.
Montessori classrooms are also designed to be inclusive and diverse, with a range of materials and activities that appeal to different interests and learning styles. Children are encouraged to work at their own pace and to explore their own interests, which helps to create a sense of ownership and engagement in the learning process.
Montessori educators also place a strong emphasis on community building and social development. Children are encouraged to work collaboratively and to support each other’s learning. This not only helps to create a supportive and inclusive classroom environment but also helps to foster important social and emotional skills, such as empathy, cooperation, and communication.
“Normalisation” refers to a state of optimal development that children can achieve through the Montessori approach. It is characterised by a deep concentration, self-discipline, independence, joy, and love of learning.
According to Montessori, normalisation occurs when children are able to fully engage with the Montessori materials using both their intellect (mind) and body (hand). This leads to concentration, self-discovery and self-improvement. Inner discipline is not forced upon children, but rather emerges naturally when they are given the freedom (within limits) to explore and learn at their own pace.
Normalisation is considered to be a critical step in Montessori education because it allows children to develop a strong sense of self-esteem and self-efficacy. Children who have normalised are able to work independently, take responsibility for their own learning, and develop a sense of empathy and respect for others.
While Montessori education may appear unstructured at first glance, it is actually a highly structured and carefully designed educational approach. The Montessori method emphasises individualised learning, freedom within limits, and hands-on learning experiences, which may give the impression of unstructured learning. However, there is a method to the apparent “madness.”
The Montessori classroom is carefully designed to provide children with a structured environment that allows for exploration and self-directed learning. The classroom is divided into distinct areas, each of which is designed for a particular type of activity, such as Activities of Everyday Living, Education of the Senses, Numeracy and Arithmetic, Literacy, Knowledge and Understanding of the World and Creativity.
Within each area, children are free to choose the materials and activities that interest them, but they are also given clear guidelines and expectations for their work. Montessori educators carefully plan and organise the materials and activities in each area to build on children’s existing knowledge and skills, and to encourage their ongoing development.
Montessori education also places a strong emphasis on order, routine, and discipline. Children are expected to follow a set of rules and guidelines for behavior, which help to create a sense of structure and consistency in the classroom. They are also taught practical life skills, such as cleaning up after themselves and caring for their environment, which helps to create a sense of order and responsibility.
