The Montessori Method
"Our care of the children should be governed not by the desire to 'make them learn things', but by the endeavor always to keep burning within them the light which is called intelligence" -Maria Montessori
Maria Montessori History
Age thirteen began to attend a boys' technical school. After seven years of engineering she began premed 1896 became a physician University of Rome psychiatric clinic Developed an interest in the treatment of special needs children Several years, worked, wrote, and spoke on their behalf. 1907 she was given the opportunity to study "normal" children. Invited to the USA by Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison Spoke at Carnegie Hall, 1915 Set up a classroom of 21 children; Watched behind a glass wall for four months. Awarded two gold medals Twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize
Maria Montessori Philosophy
The elementary child, when allowed to work independently instead of being taught in groups led by a teacher, and in classes with a mixed age group of 6-12- year-old students inspiring and teaching each other, masters academic subjects usually not taught until middle or high school (montessori.edu)
Montessori Method
1940's, inspired by the amazing potential of children realized in the early years, Dr. Montessori stated that age three was too late to begin to support the work and development of children. 1947 the Montessori Assistants to Infancy program was begun in Rome. This was a 3-year, full-time program which is still taught today in several countries (montessori.edu) Her message to those who emulated her was always to turn one's attention to the child, to "follow the child". It is because of this basic ideology, and the observation guidelines left by her, that Dr. Montessori's ideas will never become obsolete (montessori.edu). A Closer Look (www.woodstockmontessori.com)
Montessori Traditional Emphasis on cognitive and social Emphasis on social development development Fewer materials for sensory Multi-sensory materials for physical development exploration Teacher is primary enforcer of Environment and method encourage discipline self-discipline Same age grouping Mixed age grouping Teacher is center of classroom as Teacher has unobtrusive role in "controller” classroom Child is generally allotted specific Child works as long as he wishes on time chosen project Voluntary parent involvement Child spots own errors from Group and individual instruction feedback of material Curriculum is structured for the Mainly individual instruction child Child chooses own work Child usually assigned own chair; Child discovers own concepts from encouraged to participate self teaching materials Child is guided to concepts by the Child sets own learning pace teacher Child reinforces own learning by Learning is reinforced externally by internal feelings of success rewards
Child spots own errors from Errors are usually pointed out by feedback of material teacher
WHY DID I CHOOSE THE MONTESSORI METHOD TO EXPLORE?
I’ve always been curious about it from the time my children started pre-school. I should have explored it 18 years ago. From the material I read and the field trip I took, I would highly recommend the Montessori Method. It was very impressive to see the children engaged, working together, or individually. Multi-sensory materials for exploration and the emphasis on cognitive development are positives we need in any school.
Resources, Books, and Music to Browse
http://www.michaelolaf.net/maria.html accquired 9/27/07 REPRINT and LINKING PERMISSION: Feel free to use this text on the Internet, for schools, college research papers, of any nonprofit educational purpose, or to link it to an Internet site. Reference: "By permission of The Michael Olaf Montessori Company, www.michaelolaf.net" http://www.michaelolaf.net/FAQMontessori.html http://www.montessori.edu/maria.html accquired 9/27/07 Montessori of Woodstock Canton Road (field trip 10/4/07) www.woodstockmontessori.com Absorbent Mind by Maria Montessori, John Chattin-Mcnichols Montessori Method by Maria Montessori Winston, George, Autumn (1980). Windham Hill Records