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
- 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)
- 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)
- 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.