Montessori Education
"I have studied the child. I have taken what the child has given me and expressed it and that is what is called the Montessori Method." - Maria Montessori
Montessori Education and teaching theory is down to a memorable italian woman named Maria Montessori, who's approach to Education was believed to be unparralled, structured, scientific, orderly, active and overall child orientated.
Montessori produced her philosophy of Education based on the results of observations made on children; focusing on their natural development, allowing them to become independant learners. The teachers within Montessori Schools'are trained facilitators, and only intervene with a childs' development when guidance is asked for by the child, or when they are seen to be having difficulty with, for example, a task or activity. The main purpose of the facilitator, is to encourage and stimulate the enthusiasum to learn and explore new things; without meddling with the child's natural egerness to learn independently,although they should always be ready to direct and assist when appropriate.
Each child within a Montessori classroom has the freedom, within boundaries to work and develop their own learning; working at their own optimum level in a safe, orderly environment.
Everything within a Montessori classroom is there for a destinct reason, and is within the child's reach. There is nothing that is not allowed to be touched or interacted with. All furniture and equipment is child sized to ensure everything is easily accessible.
The Montessori way of learning produces an extended vision on Education; responding to all the aspects needed for life outside the classroom, developing personal responsibility, governed freedom as well as social and
lntellectual development all through enjoyment and respect.
This is an image to show how a typical Montessori classroom appears-
Benefits of the Montessori method of teaching begins with the fact that children are able to investigate new areas of learning for themselves. A child's personality is able to develop on its own without influence. Pupils learn to become self-motivated which I believe, will highly benefit them in later life. Children will not expect or rely on others to do things for them,. Within a Montessori classroom, children are expected to gather materials and equipment for themselves. To have independence in life is highly important, and I believe Montessori emphasises this factor.
However, a criticism of the Montessori approach to leaning stems from the 'pupil:teacher' ratio. Educationalists believe that during teaching, this ratio is too small, and therefore the children aren't getting the full amount of attention that they should; in comparison to those pupils that attend government funded schools.
Bibliography;
The Montessori St. Nicholas Charity. 2010. What is Montessori. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.montessori.org.uk/what_is_montessori. [Accessed 02 September 14].
Absent Minds Montessori. 2011. What is Montessori Education?. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.absorbentminds.co.uk/acatalog/What_is_Montessori_.html. [Accessed 02 September 14].
Maria Montessori. [Internet]. 2014. The Biography.com website. Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/maria-montessori-9412528 [Accessed 02 Sep 2014].
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