What is Montessori?

What is Montessori?

• It is the largest pedagogy in the world. It is used in thousands of schools worldwide. 
• Dr. Maria Montessori developed it over 100 years ago through her work with special needs and underprivileged children in Italy.
  
• Dr. Montessori discovered that children already have an inherent understanding of what they need to learn and when they need to learn it. This is something that adults have no control of; so, the Montessori method trains the teacher (Directress) to observe the child for indications of this learning and to guide the child to lessons that will help.
  
• The Montessori method was developed with the understanding that children (up to 6 years of age) are able to absorb every sensation around them in each moment (just like a photograph picks up everything from the person, the chair, the stain on a shirt, the colour of wallpaper...) The Montessori method is designed to work with this amazing, and overwhelming ability.
  
• The Montessori method knows that a child's attention span is much greater than adults usually give them credit for. The typical Montessori school day allows for 3 uninterrupted hours of self-guided work-time. This allows the child time to try different lessons before choosing and focusing upon their main work; and, it allows the child time to explore and successfully finish their work.
  
• The Montessori lessons are grouped into 5 different academic areas:
  
  • Practical Life – How to do things to take care of yourself, your environment and to become a successful part of society. (tying laces, table setting, manners)
    

  • 

    Arithmetic - The Negative Snake Game

    Sensorial – The development and refinement of the senses. Distinguishing between weights, shapes, colours, textures, sounds, tastes, sizes, and smells help lay the foundations for language, mathematics, logical thought, and creativity.
    
  • Language – The development of reading, writing, speaking and communicating.
    
  • Arithmetic – The development of number concepts and relationships. (quantities, decimal system, arithmetic operations)
    
  • Culture/Science – Learning about the earth, cultures, animals, plants, and experimentation. (countries of the world, classes of animals, parts of plants, sink/float)
    
• New lessons are given individually and, occasionally, in small groups. Each lesson isolates a learning point so there is no mistaking what is being learned. Then, the child is allowed to choose to work with the lesson when and for how long they wish.
  
• Lessons are only given to the child who is able and ready to receive them. The child's individual developmental level and speed dictates the personal curriculum they will receive. If they understand quickly, they will be challenged with another level of lessons. If they are confused or “stuck” on a particular lesson, the child will be given all the time they need to understand it along with supporting lessons if needed.
  
• The Montessori lessons are designed to teach skills incrementally. The lessons become more complex and build upon what has come before. Most lessons also support and enhance lessons in the other academic areas (ie math, language, sensorial,...)
  
• Studies have shown that children taught in the Montessori method are academically equal or above those with traditional teaching; and, the Montessori students tend to be less violent, have a stronger sense of fairness, and are more global minded.
  

Montessori FAQ's

This post will focus on FAQs and misconceptions about Montessori schools and education.

Why do the Montessori students have to work instead of play? Shouldn't kids be having fun?
Dr. Montessori realized that play is the work of children – play is how children master their own bodies and explore the world around them – to reflect the importance of play, the term “work” was used to describe all of the child's classroom activities that support their learning. The children do not experience fatigue or boredom when “working” because it feeds their development like eating feeds the body. (photo from http://trilliummontessori.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Trillium-Preschool-Practical-Life-Page-Image-3.jpg. Trillium Montessori has a great site and blog: http://trilliummontessori.org/)


My child's Montessori School blends traditional and Montessori methods. That still means they are Montessori, right?
Sadly, no. Having worked in both traditional and Montessori settings and having at least some formal training in both, I can confidently tell you that you cannot blend curriculums and still have a Montessori education. The basic foundations of the Montessori method are too different. (See my first post) Montessori teachers spend a year being trained in Montessori method and lessons for a single developmental age group. A traditional school calling themselves Montessori by including some Montessori lessons is akin to me saying that I'm fluent in Italian by using an Italian accent and using some real Italian words - I love languages and I can speak beautiful English but I really can't speak Italian.

I've heard that children in Montessori schools are allowed to do whatever they want all the time. Is this true?
Students in Montessori classrooms are given more freedom than in traditional school systems; however, their freedom occurs within appropriate social and safety limits. For instance, a child can choose whatever lesson is appropriate for them as long as they treat the materials properly. Any behaviour that would negatively affect the learning or safety of themselves or other students would not be allowed.
The freedom is given because research and 100 years of Montessori experience, show that a child learns best if they have some choice and control of their own environment. Freedom and choice supports the development of self-control, self-discipline, independence, and the love of learning.


Why do Montessori schools group little kids with bigger ones?
The multi-aged classrooms (ie. 3-6 years) were developed to allow children within a similar developmental period to learn together and support each other. The older children learn empathy, leadership, and responsibility while helping the younger children. They take pride in knowing that they are learning more complex things. The younger children often learn better from the older children. Cooperation, collaboration, patience, acceptance, and trust are learned through real interactions with others of various ages and abilities.


What about the Ontario Kindergarten Curriculum; do you follow it?
The Ontario Curriculum will be used as a minimum guideline. Although every child and situation is different, the Montessori method tends to produce results that often exceed the Ontario Curriculum.


I've heard that the Montessori method is only for children who are gifted or have special needs. Is this true?
The beauty of the Montessori method is that it is designed around the individual child but based upon the natural development of all children. The Montessori method was originally created through the observation and interaction with impoverished, needful children and produced above average results. It is understandable that someone might think that it is for only the gifted or those who have special needs. Sadly, the Ontario government does not support education outside of their curriculum so Montessori schools must be private, for-pay institutions. The truth is: The Montessori method is for all types of children because it allows children to progress as carefully and as quickly as they are able. Each Montessori taught child progresses when they are ready, not when the class is ready.


Why is a Montessori teacher called “Directress”
Teaching in the Montessori classroom is a bit different than in the traditional school. In the Montessori method, the child is their own first teacher. Just like animals have instincts, human children at this age have a ingrained sense of what and when they need to learn. The Montessori Directress (or Director) is trained to observed and recognize these learning stages and then “directs” or guides the ready child to the most suitable lessons.


Are there different kinds of Montessori schools?
There are true Montessori schools and then there are daycares or schools that call themselves Montessori. Sadly, the name Montessori is not a registered trademark so anyone can use it in their school name. My first post (Sept 2013) will tell you how to quickly recognize a school that follows the Montessori method and philosoply. My second post has photos and facts on typical Montessori Casa/Primary classroom around the world.
There are minor differences between the authentic Montessori schools. This I will discuss in a later post. For now, I will simply say that some Ontario schools prefer their Montessori teachers to be graduated and certified by one of the three internationally known training programs: Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), American Montessori Society (AMS), and Toronto Montessori Institute (TMI). In Ontario, there are these three as well as other training programs, but all graduates should end up certified by MACTE (Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education)


I've heard that Montessori is too structured / I've heard that Montessori isn't structured enough.
The Montessori method sets out rules of appropriate behaviour for social and safety reasons. As long as the child is appropriate and respectful to others and the materials, they can explore the lessons and materials as creatively and as often as they wish.
If a child needs more direct, or one-on-one attention, that can also be accommodated in several ways. The Directress will provide appropriate guidance for each child. Also, the multi-age classroom can be beneficial because all children are encouraged to help others with lessons.


Was Dr. Maria Montessori against fantasy and creativity?
Dr. Montessori was NOT against fantasy and creativity. She realized that the children where in an intense developmental stage where they needed to experience and learn about real life. Children of this age love to pretend to sweep, add, cook, socialize, read, write notes, sew, ... It's obvious that children are focused on real activities; the Montessori classroom lets them explore real activities and skills. The children love to pretend to be grown-up by learning real skills that help them be more confident, and capable.


Doesn't Montessori force academics on children before they're ready?
In the Montessori method, the Directress provides appropriate lessons to each child according to their capability and developmental level. This method involves lessons and methods that carefully and incrementally lead a child to the next lesson.

Image the focus and creativity that
went into this masterpiece!

Montessori materials are bad for learning; lessons aren't "open" - the children can only use them one way and that restricts their learning.

This was one of the misconceptions I came across in Early Childhood courses. Montessori materials may appear to be 'closed' because the Directress will instruct the child in one correct way. Also, many Montessori lessons are self correcting, meaning they will lead a child to the understanding of a concept (ie. 1+1=2) without the help of a teacher. However, after that initial lesson, the child is able to use them however they wish, as long as they are respectful to the materials and others. You can see Montessori students spontaneously realize relationships with other lessons and combine them. They can also see the connection with the 'real world' and explore with it. 
Montessori is about laying the foundation then letting the child explore. (Photo from http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aDDipU0zTAs/S-8YWcmfo0I/AAAAAAAAABs/fDgaARKpL7s/s1600/Grand+sensorial+extension.jpeg. Go check out Ms. Tracy's blog http://blueheartgold.blogspot.ca/)

What's so special about Montessori?

What is all the fuss about?
Good question! Today, I will try to go over some of the things that make Montessori so different and special. This will be a very quick overview, I'll get a little deeper into theory in other posts and include links for those who would like to learn more. (I've put some links to great videos about the Montessori method at the bottom of this post.)

It is based upon scientific observation of children in the environment.
Dr. Maria Montessori was trained in science, medicine and education. She approached the topic of education from a different point of view than most other educators. Most educators determinded what children should learn and when to do it; it was a very authoritarian method. Dr. Montessori observed the children from a distance, assessed their needs from their behaviour, provided materials that might fulfill that need, and then observed the children's reactions. From her observations she discovered some amazing things about the way children learn and how adults can help.

The Moveable Alphabet allows students to work on 

writing and building words even before they have the fine

 motor skills to use a pencil. Tiny phonetic objects help with

 focus and independence

 - they get to choose the word to build.

It is child centric and child lead.
The Montessori method believes that children almost instinctively know what they need to learn and when they need to learn it. (I'll post more about the Absorbant Mind and Sensitive Periods later) During the first 6 years, children are their own best teachers. They are in a period where they learn in a special and incredibly intense way.  All that adults can do is realize this and try to provide the environment and opportunities that the child will need. Montessori Teachers have been taught to recognize the different stages and needs from the child's behaviour and abilities; and, they have been trained how to best provide the appropriate lessons and opportunities to that child.

It has been proven to be an excellent educational method.
The Montessori method has provided high quality education for over 100 years and is used throughout the world. It is the largest pedagogy in the world. The Montessori method works just as well today as it did at the beginning. It is not affected by educational trends that come and go. There is no "new math", "new research" or "new curriculum" that will change the classrooms and curriculum. (I have great respect for those teachers who have to adjust to these changes sent down from above)  In fact, many "new" curriculum appear to be starting to follow some of the lessons learned and discovered by Dr. Montessori. Recent research supports this Method.

It is individual
Every child learns differently and at different paces. The Montessori teacher gives lessons to an individual child (occassionally to a small group of children) only when that child indicates they are ready for the lesson. So, if a child is thrilled with a topic, they can speed ahead. If a child seems puzzled by a lesson, they can work on it for as long as they like.

It teaches foundations really well
The Montessori method involves lessons that proceed in tiny incremental steps that lead in to each other. Each lesson isolates and teaches only one concept or ability at a time. A child only learns the next lesson when they grasp the single concept they are working on. Corresponding concrete and abstract concepts are taught separately then together and with the proper vocabulary. Special materials make abstract concepts touchable - children learn how, what, and why instead of learning by rote. Lessons and materials are very precise; they correlate and support each other throughout the five educational areas of the classroom.

It helps children develop into well rounded people
The Montessori method is more than academics, it's purpose is to help children develop into good people and competent members of society. Lessons include grace, courtesy and practical skills that allow children to interact successfully and confidently with their environment and the people in it. The 3 year age grouping teaches leadership skills, empathy, and apropriate behaviour.

It is loved by the children
Children learn better when they are happy. The Montessori method makes them happy; they don't even realize they are learning because they are doing what they "instinctively" need to do. I often see students who don't want to go home at the end of the day, who want to do lessons on party days, and who choose to spend hours working intently on their lessons.

Videos you should watch:
http://vimeo.com/46107251 - about the Montessori classroom and some basics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcNvTPX4Q08&feature=related - Montessori and current research
https://www.youtube.com/watch/?v=hW7JgQHHVJc - What children really learn from Montessori
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZLq5Uttq8M - Benefits of Montessori
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcgN0lEh5IA - Montessori Madness (by a parent)

If you'd like to read more:
http://www.ccma.ca/ - an official explaination of what Montessori schooling is
http://www.stayatbeachmom.com/why-montessori-preschool/ - a good explaination
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-407528/Children-Montessori-schools-better-educated.html/
                   - an easy read about some recent research comparing traditional and Montessori students.

What does a typical Montessori Casa/Primary classroom look like?

As I mentioned in the last post, Montessori classrooms around the world are similar. You will find out how in this post.

What you will find in every Montessori Classroom
Every classroom will be slightly different because teachers and cultures are different but there are some things that are included in every Montessori classroom around the world.
The general sense of the classroom should be clean, tidy, airy and pleasant. Walls should not be too busy with posters and colours: the focus should be on the lessons. Materials, furniture & decorations should be real, not toy replicas. There will only some plastic. You will see glass, china, wood, silver, real vegetation, and, hopefully, an animal of some sort.

The classroom should have low, accessible shelves made of wood. Lessons will be neatly set upon the shelves in their respective learning area (see below). The lessons within an educational area will be placed upon the shelves in such a way that they grow in complexity from left to right taking into account room and shelving constraints. The photos below are from 4 different schools.

The typical Montessori classroom is divided into 5 educational areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Arithmetic, and Culture/Science.

Practical Life Area - this area is filled with lessons that have a practical component to them. Each lesson will help to teach the child how to interact and care for the environment and those in it. Typical lessons include: Bottles & Boxes, Spooning, Pouring, Spill clean-up, Table Washing, Polishing, Sweeping, Buttons, Bows, Setting a Table and Sewing on a Button. Water use will be involved. Many of the lessons in this area will have been made by the teachers of the school; only some lessons will have been purchased. (The empty shelf means a student is using that lesson. There is only one of each lesson per classroom)

Sensorial Area - this area will be filled with specific Montessori materials that are used throughout the world. Lessons focus on the development of discernment and the refinement of the senses. There will only be a few hand-made lessons. Lessons will include: Pink Tower, Broad Stairs, Red Rods, Colour Boxes, Sound Cylinders, Cylinder Blocks, Knobless Cylinders, Bells, Smelling Bottles, Touch Tablets, and Binomial Cube.


The photo (found at http://mymontessorijourney.typepad.com/photos) shows part of a Sensorial area. You can see the Pink Tower at the extreme right, Red Rods, Broad Stairs, Sound Cylinders, and the three Colour Tablet boxes at the bottom left. The two baskets at the bottom right are extensions to the Colour Tablet lessons (the baskets at the very top are on the shelves of another section.)



Language Area - The Language area will have a mix of school-made and purchased materials but most will be the same from classroom to classroom. Lessons focus on the development of reading and writing. Typical lessons include: Sandpaper Letters, Metal Insets, Chalkboards, Classified Cards, Moveable Alphabet, Pink Material, Blue Material, Green Material.

The photo shows the Sandpaper Letters (just at the top left), Moveable alphabet (top right), as well as the Pink, Blue, and Green materials.

Arithmetic Area - This area will have mostly purchased materials. Lessons focus on the development of numeracy and mathematical understanding. Typical lessons will include: Long Rods, Sandpaper Numbers, Cards and Counters, Spindle Boxes, Golden Bead materials, Coloured Bead materials (Short Bead Stair, Bead Chains) and the Stamp Game.

In the photo above, you can see the blue and red Long Rods, the Spindle Boxed (middle) and the Bead Chain Cabinet along with other lessons.

Culture/Science Area - This area teaches about culture, history, geography, zoology, botany, and some basic science. Many lessons will be school-made but there will be a set of puzzle maps like the one shown, two globes (sandpaper and coloured continent)  Other lessons will include "Parts of" cards (tree, flower, frog, turtle, fish, horse, bird), Clock, Life-cycle, Magnets, Colour mixing.





You can see better photos of individual Montessori lessons at this Montessori materials supplier (this is not an endorsement) http://ca.montessorioutlet.com/cgi-bin/category/5105

How to recognize a real Montessori school in Ontario

How to spot a real Montessori school in the Greater Toronto Area (Ontario)

I began this blog because I was realizing how many private schools had Montessori in their name but not in their program. So many parents believe that their child is getting the benefit of the world renown Montessori method when they are not. It is important to know the Montessori name and method is not copywrite protected! I'm not judging those montessori-in-name-only schools, they may be very good traditional schools, I am just trying to help parents make an informed decision about their child's education. 

How to recognize an authentic Montessori school

1. Every lead teacher in every classroom has been properly trained in the Montessori Method. In Ontario, this means they are MACTE accredited.

2. The shelves are open, accessible, and full of proper Montessori lessons. Montessori classrooms and lessons around the world are very similar in appearance.  (My next post will focus on the appearance and content of a typical Montessori classroom.) 

3. Every day the children are allowed a large block of time (~ 2.5-3 hrs) to work independantly with the Montessori lessons. Dr. Montessori considered this one of her most important discoveries.

4. Classrooms include children of various ages within the same developmental group. Toddler (<3 yrs), Casa/Primary (3-6 yrs), Lower Elementary (6-9 yrs), Upper Elementary (9-12 yrs). The social/individual benefits are maximized in this manner.


These 4 points represent the visual cues for some of the foundational concepts of the Montessori theory put into practise - They cannot be excluded or modified. There are other cues and clues in a classroom that follows the authentic Montessori method, but these 4 are the easiest to spot and MUST be in EVERY Montessori classroom. Do not accept an explaination of "blending" or "mixing" curriculums.

Here is the link to a great video about the Montessori Classroom:
 http://vimeo.com/46107251)

One very important point: If you have questions or concerns about the Montessori method or philosophy, please, please, PLEASE, talk to a Montessori trained teacher/organization, or research on a reputable Montessori website. I say this because many traditional early childhood teacher training programs do not understand the Montessori method. 

I've taken Early Childhood courses in which the very kind and intelligent instructors were teaching incorrect information on the Montessori method. Even the text book for the class was full of incorrect and misinformed facts about Montessori! Other Montessorians have encounted the same bias. Sadly, this means that many traditionally trained teachers cannot give well-informed advice on this topic.

Here are a few places you can contact for accurate Montessori information: 
Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators - http://www.ccma.ca/
  (The CCMA has an accreditation for proper Montessori schools. Not all authentic Montessori schools have applied for accreditation for various reasons. New Montessori schools my need to wait several years before becomming accredited.)
Toronto Montessori Institute -
         http://www.tmi.edu/motion.asp?menuid=4646&lgid=1&siteid=100344
Foundation for Montessori Education -
         http://www.montessori-ami.ca/