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.
  

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.