Montessori education
offers a broad vision of education as an “aid to
life”. This approach is designed to support children
with their task of inner construction. This method
succeeds because it draws on the natural development
of the child. Each child’s inner directives are
guided towards wholesome growth.
Montessori
classrooms provide a prepared environment where
children can go to do purposeful work. In a
Montessori classroom, children are given the
opportunity to develop their powers of concentration
(from concentro which means being with your center),
and joyful self-discipline. The true discipline of
the child comes from within as a freely chosen
response to the environment. The Montessori method
develops the personality of the child – not just the
intellect.
Maria Montessori was the first woman doctor in
Italy, in 1896. Through scientific observation, she
developed a system of learning based on her
conclusions about how children relate with one
another, learn through the use of specific
materials, and go through universal phases of
development. Using her background in psychology, and
her belief that society could be bettered through
the education of children – she developed her
approach to education. She also articulated
universal laws of development that are inherent to
children of all races and cultures. Her timeless
method continues to be highly respected
internationally.
MONTESSORI VS. TRADITIONAL EDUCATION
|
Montessori |
Traditional |
|
Based on the development of the child |
Based on the transfer of a national
curriculum |
|
Children follow their own interests and
learn at their own pace |
Children learn from a set curriculum
according to a preset time frame |
|
Children teach themselves using specially
prepared materials |
Children are taught by the teacher |
|
Children develop their ability to discover
for themselves |
Learning is based on subjects and based on
what is given |
|
Learning based on physical exploration of
environment
|
Children sit at desks and learn from
worksheets and white boards |
|
Teacher works with children |
Class is teacher led |
|
Intrinsic Motivation |
Motivation through rewards and punishments |
|
Uninterrupted work flow |
Block time, period lessons |
|
Multi-age Classrooms |
Single-graded Classrooms |
Does
the Montessori curriculum cover the same subjects as
other schools?
Unlike
mainstream educational approaches, Montessori
education serves the whole human being, and has
faith in the child’s universal love of learning.
Therefore, subject areas such as art, Spanish,
music, and science are integrated into the prepared
environment of the classroom for each child’s
exploration.
