What is montessori education pdf

In Montessori classrooms, teachers respect children as separate and unique individuals. At each level of Montessori education, this difference is honored through the preparation of the classroom environment. The environment is prepared in every way for optimal development: physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally. Montessori classrooms are interactive environments in which hands-on exploration is not only encouraged, it is necessary.

By using the mind, the body, and the senses, learning becomes an activity that engages the whole self. Any parent will agree that children do; Montessori environments follow this natural inclination of children towards activity by offering an appropriate variety of objects and activities for meaningful engagement.

One of the most profound differences between Montessori education and conventional education is that, in Montessori, children are given the experience of discovering the answer for themselves. This leads to a much deeper learning experience, and creates a lifelong love of learning as a self-directed process of problem-solving and discovery. The trained Montessori teacher links the child to activities and experiences in the prepared environment.

Specialized training results in a deep knowledge of child development, the purposes and use of each activity, and an understanding of how to foster and maintain social harmony in the classroom. Learn more about Montessori teacher training at Montessori Northwest. Montessori classrooms support the development of imagination and creativity at every stage of learning. The open-ended activities allow children to explore new ideas and relationships, providing a foundation for self-expression and innovation.

In the early years, the building blocks of imagination are firmly established through sensory exploration of the world, launching both imagination and creative self-expression. Maria Montessori recognized that when allowed freedom of choice within clear, firm and reasonable boundaries, children act in positive ways that further their development. Freedom is frequently misunderstood, and many people take it to mean that children can do whatever they want.

Montessori believed that freedom without boundaries was abandonment. In Montessori classrooms, expectations are clear, and children experience the natural and logical consequences of their choices. This freedom within limits allows for the natural development of self-regulation within the society of the classroom, as well as mirroring behaviors expected by society in general.

From the moment of birth onwards, humans strive towards independence. Children feel this need very strongly; they want to do things for themselves, and to participate in the world around them. In Montessori classrooms, this natural drive towards independence is fostered through practical, social and intellectual experiences.

We honor this by helping children move to increasingly higher levels of independence and self-reliance. School should offer children more than just academic skills. It should help them grow into confident, independent, caring and self-motivated people. The goal of Montessori education is to develop the whole person; someone who is more than the sum of their test scores.

Montessori teachers strive to engender in the child a sense of responsibility and the connectedness of people and things. Children learn that their choices have consequences, not only in their immediate interpersonal relationships, but also in the world at large. In Montessori classrooms, academic skills are integrated into the natural life of the classroom. Through hands-on play, the most basic foundations of mathematics and literacy are introduced through games, activities, and with special materials that appeal to children.

This sets up a love of learning that the child will carry with her throughout life. Children, especially very young ones, are intensely driven by their developmental needs, which can sometimes clash with the needs of parents and caregivers. By understanding the child's drive towards independence, we learn to offer her the time and skills she needs to complete the task herself.

The intense effort she puts into small, repetitive tasks is deeply satisfying, and the end result gives her confidence and comfort in her skills.

If she is not allowed to work through the task to completion, the child may react strongly. This kind of opposition, originated in the conflicting needs of the adult and the child, highlights one of the main obstacles to a harmonious relationship between adults and children. One of the key tenets of Montessori theory is that this harmonious relationship can be achieved through understanding why children act the way they do, and by patiently offering them experiences that fulfill their deep, inner developmental drives.

In Montessori schools, children have fun while they learn, respect and care for the people and things around them, and take responsibility for their actions.

This is true preparation for real life. Not Enough Structure? Parents should observe at a school before selecting it for their child, preferably in the classroom their child will attend. Most Montessori schools welcome observers, and the children are accustomed to visitors.

The visitor is typically directed to a chair where they sit and observe the entire room. Observations usually last thirty minutes to an hour, and allow the observer to get a feel for the room. Consider asking to observe at a school more than once; every day is unique!

Although every classroom is a little different, there are some general traits that indicate a quality Montessori environment:. The children independently select activities from the shelf and use them with concentration. The environment seems orderly and the materials in good condition. Most interactions between children are positive, but in cases where they are not positive, the children generally resolve the problem by themselves.

There is no trademark or governing body to ensure the quality of Montessori schools. To prevent this, she attempted to trademark her name, but it was decided by the courts that the term Montessori was already in the public domain. Maria Montessori created the Association Montessori Internationale to protect the integrity of her work.

Today, schools with AMI-trained teachers have met the high standards for teacher training that Maria Montessori set down over eighty years ago. Observing and working with real children in real classrooms is a critical component of AMI teacher training. We are deeply grateful to the schools and staff who have participated in Observation and Practice Teaching by hosting MNW teachers in training.

Some states have associations or organizations that compile lists of Montessori schools. An internet search should locate one for your state, if it exists. In the state of Oregon, the Oregon Montessori Association provides a list of its member schools. Ideally, a child's developmental needs are met by both their home and school environments.

Even small changes can yield great results. When the child is very young, the emphasis is on safety, increasing independence, and access to appropriate toys and activities. For example, a young child might have a low table in the kitchen on which a glass and a small pitcher with water are available at all times. This allows the child to get a drink of water herself whenever she is thirsty. This kind of preparation of the home environment can be repeated in many ways, and mirrors closely the self-directed experiences the child has in the Montessori classroom.

Children feel great satisfaction when they are included in family tasks. The child feels confidence and self-worth at having contributed, and parents set up an expectation from an early age that everyone helps around the house.

Encouraging your child to make choices at an early age is one of the most powerful gifts a parent can offer. Giving choices fosters independence, cooperation and experience with natural consequences. Montessori education is student-led and self-paced but guided, assessed, and enriched by knowledgeable and caring teachers, the leadership of their peers, and a nurturing environment.

Within the community of a multi-age classroom—designed to create natural opportunities for independence, citizenship, and accountability—children embrace multi-sensory learning and passionate inquiry. Individual students follow their own curiosity at their own pace, taking the time they need to fully understand each concept and meet individualized learning goals. Given the freedom and support to question, probe deeply, and make connections, Montessori students grow up to be confident, enthusiastic, and self-directed learners and citizens, accountable to both themselves and their community.

They think critically, work collaboratively, and act boldly and with integrity. What better outcome could you wish for your children? Skip to Content. What Is Montessori Education?

The Montessori schedule often includes practical activities like sweeping or personal care. Children learn through experience. From birth to the age of 6, the child is able to learn new things effortlessly and unconsciously , just by being in the right environment and having the opportunities to explore. Maria Montessori called this concept the absorbent mind. Raising children in the Montessori philosophy means observing them carefully and noticing what they are interested in.

There are certain periods — called sensitive periods — when the child is very interested in one kind of activity. It can be climbing, transporting things, focus on small details or language.

By observing the children, we can provide appropriate activities and create an environment that will support the development of the skill they are currently focused on. Montessori teachers and parents are guides or, as Maria Montessori used to say, gardeners. We can provide the right conditions and point in the right direction, but we show respect to the way our children decide to go.

It also means that we understand that each child is a unique individual with his or her own needs, capabilities, and way of learning. So the Montessori principles can be incorporated by parents from birth. The Montessori pre-school programs usually start at the age of 3. However, many studies suggest that children educated in Montessori schools have an advantage in terms of academic, social, and emotional development.

The Montessori method is not just a set of specific activities taught at school, it can be perceived as a way of life. You can check our list of best Montessori toys for inspiration. Maria Montessori was a devout Catholic and her teachings reflect some Christian concepts, such as the intrinsic value of human life. However, her method is universal.

There are Christian, Jewish, or even Islamic Montessori schools and there are Montessori schools that are not bound to any religious belief.

I was going through the article and it is mentioned Maria Montessori was born in but actually it is It is wonderful article with a lot of great information. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Skip to content.

What is Montessori?