What is Montessori?
Montessori is an educational method based upon the scientific study or observation of children and the way in which the child develops and learns. It is a system based on:
i. teaching the individual; ii. allowing the child to learn through practising activities (not through sitting and listening to the teacher and having to remember the answer); iii. teaching a wide range of topics; iv. teaching the child to be self-disciplined and to respect their family, environment, peers and teachers; v. allowing the child to access equipment/activities themselves; vi. developing independence and responsibility in the child; and vii. a careful sequence of activities to help the child in his/her development.
The Montessori method of teaching has been successfully used around the world for some seventy (70) years in countries, such as Australia, UK, USA, Germany, Italy etc, and is unique in that it is used effectively with normal, gifted, mentally retarded, and physically handicapped children.
Dr Maria Montessori, the founder of this educational style, was originally a medical doctor who brought the scientific methods of observation, experimentation, and research to the study of children, their development and education. She found that children had abilities not usually attributed to them including:
i) a good mental concentration; ii) the love of repetition; iii) a natural inclination to order; iv) the need for freedom of choice; v) the preference to work (purposeful activities) over play; vi) a sense of personal dignity; and vii) the desire to learn to read and write.
The Montessori-based Educational Program
A Montessori-based educational program allows the child to explore their environment and to develop at their own pace. The child has the freedom to choose the activities he/she would like to do from a prepared classroom. The teacher then observes the child at work in order to establish how to best program to extend the child in his/her abilities.
The curriculum in a Montessori-based classroom is conducive to a highly individualised education and to the inclusion of children with special needs.
More information: See Montessori Links
