I have come across several schools that have attached Montessori to their name. It didn’t used to matter but now I have to think about the education of my children and all of a sudden all the things I used to overlook have become things I can’t afford to bypass.
So what does Montessori mean???
Well according to our research, it is a style of teaching developed in the 1900s by Maria Montessori, who was an Italian physician and educator.
The Montessori approach focuses on the natural development of the child rather than the transference of blocks of information (cramming!!!).
Authentic Montessori environments are said to encompass the following principles:
• Mixed age groups which not only offer a wide range of activities to spark children’s interest but also enable children to learn from others and learn by helping others.
• Freedom for children to work at their own pace, without interruption, choosing from a range of activities that are developmentally challenging and appropriate.
• Exploration is encouraged so that children find things out for themselves, make mistakes and correct them independently.
• Respect for each child as an individual personality with unique talents.
• Respect for others, the community and the environment.
Personally, the Montessori environment seems ideal. However, I have also heard a lot of schools say that they have blended the Montessori style and the head of a pre-school informed me that she chose not to use the Montessori style because it was not applicable in its true form in this day and age.
For one, the Montessori method has been said to lack structure, which young kids often need.
Do tell us what your experience of Montessori schools has been.
AjapaMums 