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)
    

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    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.