Montessori method: what it is and how to put it into practice
The Montessori Method is a very specific teaching style that focuses on five areas considered fundamental, of the child's development: the 5 senses, mathematics, culture, language and practical life. What differentiates this type of education from the Orthodox one, is that it adapts to the characteristics of each child, creating preferences in learning according to his abilities and interests. Before continuing, watch this video and learn how to create a game for children in 3 minutes.
What is the Montessori method?
The Montessori method was developed at the beginning of the twentieth century by Dr. Maria Montessori. This educational method focused on teaching specific to children, with activities directed by children, classrooms with children of different ages and teachers who encouraged independence among students. She was convinced that children learn best when they choose this. who want to learn, and this is the philosophy present today in the classrooms of Montessori schools.
A classroom in which this method is applied is very different from the one we are used to:
- several activity stations for children to choose where to play during the day;
- a non-traditional classification system;
- teachers who move around the classroom, eliminating the typical static position in front of the blackboard;
- a student-centered approach, seeking social, intellectual, physical and emotional development.
As with any form of education, while some parents and teachers love this method, others find it quite challenging. As we show you below, the Montessori Method has both pros and cons.
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Montessori method: what are the advantages
If you have ever come across a teacher or parent who supports the Montessori method, you may have heard of many of the benefits it brings.
But what are the real advantages of the Montessori method? Emphasis on independent and practical learning.
Montessori classrooms are famous for their aesthetics: very bright areas, usually characterized by a lot of space. These two qualities are common to any classroom design and have a reason for being. For teachers who apply this method, creating an accessible, yet beautiful environment is of the utmost importance, as children have the opportunity to orient the own learning.
Inside the classrooms, children can have access to lessons, activities and materials that are based on their skills - they progress with them.
Furthermore, since the Montessori Method is based on improving interaction and sociability, it is done so that children are fascinated by what others are doing. By grouping children of different ages within the same learning environments, learning is encouraged which, in fact, could not take place in a traditional classroom where children are of the same age group. By mixing them, children learn from each other, teach each other and develop social skills useful for life, such as acceptance and inclusion.
For some of its supporters, Montessori training is very helpful in developing a specific set of skills in the child. Because much of the process is self-paced, children explore that sense of independence more and develop confidence in their abilities much more quickly than in a traditional school.
This educational philosophy strives to promote a love of learning.This particular benefit lasts throughout the life of children, becoming a great ally in other educational stages such as career, professional training and even working life.
Maria Montessori, in her vision of the method, included children with special needs from the outset. Not only was she in charge of studying the different types of functional diversity, but she was also co-director of an institute for special education teachers. Because children are grouped with others of different ages and usually have the same teacher for several years, students with functional diversity tend to have less pressure to keep up with their peers. Classroom design can also help students with special needs to establish close bonds within their classroom, creating a safe and stable environment in which to learn.
The Montessori "child-following" philosophy allows all children, not only those with special needs, to receive a personalized "education. The program of lessons is tailored to each child with different goals and ideas for their style. This especially helps students with special needs to learn at their own pace.
The disadvantages of the Montessori Method
Of course, all the pros we have listed do not mean that all experiences with the Montessori method are positive. On the one hand, your child's classmates, teachers and school system are very important. On the other hand, there are some aspects that, for some people, can cause problems. Let's see what they are.
- The price
One of the main disadvantages of the Montessori method makes us focus not on the child, but on the parents. And that's because it's too obvious, private schools aren't cheap. Their supporters explain that acquiring so many high-quality and durable teaching materials and offering thorough and in-depth training on the use of such items for young children is expensive, so the price is justified.
- Not accessible to everyone
For many, Montessori education has gone hand in hand with one thing: being privileged. While this is nowhere near the vision of Maria Montessori's method, it is sadly the norm. As this philosophy is outside the traditional educational norm. Most Montessori programs are private and regulate admissions based on who can and cannot pay tuition.
- The resume may not be enough for some
It is up to the teacher and assistant to ensure that the children are progressing at the appropriate pace. Ideally, this give and take can work well. But it can also create space for some students who are struggling. Flexibility can be very positive, but if you strengthen one skill and abandon another, you enter a dynamic that is dangerous for the child's academic future.
- Independence is not everything
The Montessori method is strong in fostering a sense of independence and self-managed work. However, the entrepreneurial mindset that can be so valuable can also make it difficult for students to collaborate as a team and work under strict authority.
- The classroom structure can be intimidating
While for many the linear structure of classic classrooms makes us feel like we are in a prison, physical barriers and lined desks can also be a great comfort to some students.
The traditional classroom hierarchy allows less freedom for students, but can also ensure a classroom environment that feels tidy, safe and routine.
Games to entertain children with the Montessori Method
The Montessori Method has acquired relevance, especially in recent years, to pay attention to the training of younger children by using educational games that do not require the use of too complicated special tools or accessories.
In the psychic development of the child there are periods with specific interests and with an "enormous sensitivity towards certain stimuli. He called them sensitive periods and showed that the psychic construction of the child is discontinuous and that their appearance depends on each of them.
Almost any everyday object can be used to entertain and teach children:
- jars with lids
- clothes pegs
- handmade toys
- solid or bulk products ...
The most important thing is never, under any circumstances, to leave the child unsupervised while interacting with this type of object. From there, almost any idea that comes to mind can help the child experience, know or learn about his surroundings, using his senses and the explanations we can offer him.
Here are 5 Montessori game ideas your little ones can start familiarizing with from home.
- Wooden puzzle: this educational game emulates a puzzle of colors and geometric shapes with which children can develop hand-eye coordination, concentration and recognition of colors and shapes.
- Wooden Block Puzzle: colorful fish, rings and numbers help the child to learn and stimulate curiosity. Children can sort the rings, circles and fish of different colors on the pegs, discover the shapes and improve their hand-eye coordination skills.
- Wooden Activity Cube: Children will have to insert each of the 13 wooden pegs into their corresponding hole. Improve attention and concentration, as well as creativity.
- Maze with wooden figures and suckers: includes 16 wooden balls and 5 figures with drawn animals with which children can have fun and explore. Encourage cognitive development in the early years.
- Toy Fruit and Vegetable Cutter: Each piece of fruit or vegetable is divided into two parts, joined together with a magnet. Children will learn to recognize foods, to play imitation games and to familiarize themselves with a healthy diet.
