Montessori

What is the Montessori Method?

The Montessori Method of education is a philosophy developed by an Italian physician named Maria Montessori. This method is a child-centered approach to learning where the child takes the reins of their education; the child is observed and guided by teachers. Children learn through hands-on experiences that leads to concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of new ideas.

Montessori Principles

Respect for the Child

This involves respecting each child’s uniqueness, listening to what they have to say, allowing them to make choices (helping them understand the consequences of such choices), giving them space to grow, not interrupting them, and being an example of respect and peaceful conflict resolution.

Absorbent Mind

Maria Montessori’s research showed that the first six years of a child’s life are the most crucial in their development and termed this period as the absorbent mind. This is the period where the child has a sponge-like capacity to absorb/learn from their environment.

Prepared Environment

The classroom is the child’s prepared environment. Children learn best in an environment that has been prepared for them and that allows them to do things for themselves. There should be a sense of order which assists the child in developing logical thought processes; “order in environment and mind.”

Auto Education

The belief that children are willing and capable of teaching themselves if they are provided with an interesting stimulus. The teachers provides the environment, resources, and encouragement but the children do the rest.