Montessori

Montessori Education

Montessori education system - An Aid to Life. Montessori education has achieved worldwide recognition and success. This method has been time tested for more than 100 years and has achieved success throughout the world with children. Maria Montessori believed each child has an innate desire to learn. The prerequisite for learning is the existence of a prepared environment where the child can be directed and not taught.

Key aspects of the Montessori Approach include the Prepared Environment, Montessori Materials and the role of the Montessori Teacher.

Prepared Environment

This is especially child-oriented space that is designed to be academically supportive, physically comfortable, and emotionally secure and safe. This is designed to facilitate maximum independent learning and exploration by the child. In the calm, ordered space of the Montessori prepared environment, children work on activities of their own choice at their own pace. They experience a blend of freedom and self-discipline in a place especially designed to meet their developmental needs.

Montessori Materials

The materials are specific in design, conforming to exact dimensions. Each activity is designed to focus on a single skill, or concept. Children enjoy and go back to repeatedly working with the number of multi-sensory, sequential and self-correcting materials that facilitate learning. Each child chooses her or his own activity, developing self-direction, concentration, and a love of learning. The materials have an inner purpose, to assist the child in his own self-construction and in his physical, psychological, intellectual and social development.

Role of Montessori Teacher

Montessori trained teachers are the dynamic link between the children and the Prepared Environment. Their role is to observe each child and present individual lessons when the child is ready for them. The teacher is more active, demonstrating on how to use the materials and presenting activities based on an assessment of the child’s requirements. The children learn from their own discoveries and draw their own conclusions, through careful observation and planning, Montessori teachers remain constantly alert to the direction each child is heading and intently works to help them succeed.