University Blog: Montessori: Caroline

Montessori education derived from a physician known as Maria Montessori who had a strong emphasis on self-determination and realisation. “The three main factors of Montessori were to focus on self-realisation through independent activity, the concern with attitude and the emphasis on the educator as the keeper of the environment. http://infed.org/mobi/maria-montessori-and-education/

Through the Montessori approach children are able to prolong periods of concentration which allows children to enjoy repetition and order. Children can also have fun in the freedom of movement and choice whilst enjoying purposeful or meaningful experiences.

Montessori believed that learning is self-motivated and children take delight in silence and the harmonising environment. The Montessori theory encourages co-operative play as the teacher does not ‘run’ the classroom therefore the children guide the activities they do throughout the day. Children in Montessori classrooms learn to respect one another and build a sense of community. Through the Montessori scheme learning is child-centred as the classroom and curriculum are designed around their specific needs and abilities that allow them to explore and learn at their own pace and on their own terms. Montessori schools promote hands-on, self-paced, collaborative and challenging learning. The teachers move around the classroom working with the children one-to-one.

Teachers facilitate the learning experience and act as ‘guides’ that are there to aid the learning experience, rather than determine what it should look like. Teachers take the lead from the children in the classroom ensuring the ground rules are followed and encourage the children to perform tasks at their own pace. A recent study by Dr. Angeline Lillard, (professors of psychology from the University of Virginia) examined the abilities of children who have been taught in a Montessori schools in comparison to public schools. The results found that five-year-olds in Montessori classrooms had higher math and reading skills than their opposition in public schools. Teachers encourage students to concentrate on tasks, and they discourage students from interrupting one another, allowing students to focus on activities until they are properly mastered.

http://www.education.com/magazine/article/10-benefits-montessori-preschool/?page=2

Feez, S. (2010) stated that "As the children begin to arrive for morning school the teacher stands by the gate. Each child shakes hands with the teacher and receives a personal greeting in return." Although Montessori schools are divided into multi-age classrooms from infant (ages 0 to 3), pre-school (ages 3 to 6), primary (ages 6 to 12) and senior school (12-18) the prepared environments introduce an endless series of learning passageways.

http://www.absorbentminds.co.uk/acatalog/What_is_Montessori_.html