Dr. Maria Montessori realized that children learn by actively engaging
their hands and their senses. They progress at an individualized pace, but as a
collaborative community of learners. They experience success from their own
effort through learning quickly from each other and by
working with children of different ages, which builds a firm foundation of self-confidence. The Montessori
approach works for children of varied intelligences, and a vast array of different
learning types. Children who grow up experiencing life and school in
this manner become confident citizens with a sense of responsibility for self
and others and joyful life-long learners.
Key
Concepts
Dr. Montessori developed a comprehensive,
child-centered approach to educating children based on her scientific observations using the following principles:
- Education should prepare
children for life - intellectually, emotionally and physically
- Children learn best on their
own, motivated by their innate need to explore and discover
- Specially designed environments
will facilitate the child's development to their fullest potential
- Children should be allowed to
progress at their own pace, regardless of ability level or age
Key Principles of the Montessori Approach
Built around universal needs,
tendencies and development of humans, the key principles include:
- The four planes of development
The universal needs and characteristics of children during these general
age spans change and the Montessori approach to the child changes in
response to these planes of development:
- First Plane:
Birth through 6 + years
- Second
Plane: 6+ through 12 years
- Third Plane:
12 through 18 years
- Fourth
Plane: 18 through 24 years
- Human tendencies
Montessori responds to universal needs, tendencies, characteristics and
inclinations of people that are present throughout life.
The prepared environment and method of teaching addresses
the following human tendencies:
- Order
- Orientation
- Exploration
- Communication
- Work
- Activity
- Manipulation
- Repetition
- Exactness
- Abstractions
- Self
perfection
- Sensitive periods
These are critical periods in a child's development between birth and age
six that show key sensitivity for the child's attention and exploration of
their environment. These unique times of sensitivity help the child
acquire certain traits, and create a drive for the child's exploration and
particular activity. Acquiring traits
outside of this sensitive period is not as deep and requires more effort
by the brain. The sensitive periods for children between the ages of birth
and six years include:
- Language
- Order
- Refinement
of the senses
- Tactile
input
- Movement
- Small
details
- Social
behavior
- Spatial
relationships
- Music
- Reading
- Writing and
mathematics
- Normalization and adaptation
Normalization is the process that occurs during the first six years of
life that allows the child to construct through their own purposeful activity. Through activity that is self-chosen, the process of normalization aid the child to develop:
- Self-confidence
- Self-discipline
- Passion and
purpose
- Attachment
to caring for others in the social community
- A sense of
responsibility for care of their environment
- Meaningful
contribution
- A general
sense of happiness with self and the world around them
Integrating the Development of Character and the Whole-Child
Development of character is an integrated aspect and outcome
of Montessori. It occurs when the child is provided the appropriate level of
freedom and limits, is treated respectfully and is given developmentally
appropriate environments where their intellectual and emotional needs are met.
The lessons, materials and set up of
the classrooms respond to the child's desire to meet their own needs,
while adapting and collaborating within their social community and culture. The
child develops greater personal independence, and thus greater responsibility
and engagement within the community.
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Student SpotlightAshton (1-3 Year)