I thought I would answer one of the most asked questions about Montessori. It is a great exercise to hit all the basics in a short space. So, here it goes…
The Montessori Method of teaching is an educational approach that was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator. It is based on the following principles:
- Child-centered: The Montessori Method respects the individuality and uniqueness of each child and allows them to learn at their own pace and follow their own interests.
- Hands-on: The Montessori Method uses specially designed materials and activities that engage the child’s senses and help them learn by doing and discovering.
- Collaborative: The Montessori Method fosters a sense of community and cooperation among children of different ages and abilities, who learn from each other and help each other.
- Holistic: The Montessori Method aims to develop the whole child, not just their academic skills, but also their social, emotional, physical, and moral development.
The Montessori Method of teaching is different from traditional methods of education in several ways. Some of the differences are:
- Multi-age classrooms: Montessori classrooms are organized into groups of children with a range of ages, such as 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, etc. This allows children to learn from each other and develop at their own pace.
- Student choice of activity: Montessori classrooms are prepared with a variety of materials and activities that cover different areas of learning, such as language, math, science, art, etc. Children are free to choose what they want to work on and for how long, according to their interests and needs.
- Teacher as a guide: Montessori teachers are trained to observe and support each child’s learning process, rather than instruct or direct them. They provide individualized guidance and feedback, and introduce new materials and challenges when appropriate.
- Prepared environment: Montessori classrooms are designed to be safe, orderly, and stimulating for children. They have natural light, plants, art, music, and books. They have low shelves with accessible materials that are arranged by subject and difficulty. They have areas for individual work, group work, and movement.
A quick summary explanation of the Montessori Method of teaching is:
The Montessori Method of teaching is a child-centered approach that uses hands-on learning and collaborative play to develop the whole child. It respects each child’s individuality and allows them to learn at their own pace and follow their own interests. It uses specially designed materials and activities in a prepared environment with multi-age classrooms and teachers as guides.
There you go! Let me know if you have any questions, or if you would like a more specific explanation.