Montessori method: What is it and Who is it for?

  • 03.05.2023

History of appearance

Maria Montessori was an Italian teacher and one of the first female doctors of the 19th century who created her own pedagogical system. Montessori always fought for justice – while working as a doctor’s assistant in a psychiatric clinic, she talked a lot with children with special needs and was worried that no one cared for them. After all, everyone needs an education!
Therefore, Maria began to develop her own methods of child development. Initially – only for children with delayed development. But, convinced of the success of her educational and developmental system, Maria adapted it for all children. She realizes that classic methods are not always effective.

What is the essence of Montessori pedagogy

The author called her methodology “a system in which the child develops independently, based on a didactically prepared environment.” The main principle of the Montessori method is “Help me do it myself”. This means that the adult understands what the child is interested in, gives him a basis for interesting activities and teaches him to use it.

Basic principles of the methodology

  • Montessori is a method of early development, but still the groups are of different ages. Older children teach the younger ones, acquire leadership qualities. The little ones learn to take care of each other. Mutual aid and cooperation is established, although there are sometimes misunderstandings.
  • Classes are held in a specially prepared environment. The basics of Montessori pedagogy suggest that the playroom is divided into several parts – natural science, practical life, sensory, language and mathematical areas are considered standard. But they also add creativity, playfulness and sport. The child can study wherever he wants, even all day. The teacher’s task is to adapt to the child’s interests. It is important to give freedom to thought, actions and feelings. Thus, children will learn everything easily and with pleasure, without “obligation” and competition with peers.
  • The adult in training plays a secondary role: he is not a mentor, but an assistant. The task of an adult is only to interest the child. The teacher communicates with the children, but does not impose his own opinion, does not lead the child to the desired answers to questions.
  • There are definitely rules that help streamline the processes in a Montessori group. For example, after reading a book, you should return the toys to their place or put them away from where they were taken. This is how children learn to keep order.
  • Guidance for the development of fine motor skills, the senses: sight, hearing, taste, smell and sensation. Maria Montessori believed that precise actions with small objects form the intellect, develop speech, attention and memory. Мария Монтесори вярваше, че точните действия с малки предмети формират интелекта, развиват речта, вниманието и паметта.
  • Criticisms and bans are not allowed. The child has the right to make mistakes. He is fully capable of achieving anything on his own.
    The child develops independence. All the manuals are placed on the shelves for him to pick up and put away himself. All books are in one copy – so children learn to negotiate with each other.

Advantages and disadvantages of the system

Pros:

Children learn at their own pace, without peer competition and a compulsory curriculum.
Classes are not boring, children are inquisitive and proactive.
They can be busy, respect the needs of others and handle household chores well.
Children know what “personal boundaries” and “who I am” are.

 

Cons:

After the Montessori methodology, it can be difficult for children to get used to the discipline of ordinary kindergartens and schools, where everyone does the same thing together, and the teacher must be perceived as an authority, not as an assistant.
Aids are quite expensive and must be varied to keep children interested and have enough.
It is difficult to recreate a Montessori environment at home.

Who is Montessori for?

Parents who value an individual approach to their child. But for mom and dad who are internally not ready to let the child go without being tied to the standard system, the method most likely won’t work.

Споделете тази публикация!

Последни новини

Early Admission La Casa dei Bimbi.

Попълнете формуляра с данните на вашето детенце.
Наш служител ще се свърже с Вас във възможно най-кратък срок