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Montessori
Children's House The Montessori Method of Education is a worldwide educational approach for kindergarten, preschool, primary and secondary level. This method has proved successful with children from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. There are many Montessori schools throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. The
Development of the Montessori Method In the course of her career, she developed an early childhood centre, which she called "A Children's House", in San Lorenzo in Rome in 1907. She prepared an environment with a range of equipment which she designed and a variety of activities specially suited to young children, based on universal laws of child growth and development. Within this environment, Dr Montessori acted as a guide. The children thrived on being able to choose their own activities and materials. They seemed contented and rested in their labours as though some great inner need was being satisfied. They displayed a total disregard for other rewards or punishments in relation to their work. They appeared more self-confident, more self-disciplined and more loving towards each other. Dr Montessori believed that education begins at birth and that the first six years of life are the most formative in terms of a child's development. It is during this time that a child's powers of absorption are highest, and that attitudes and patterns of learning that last for life are formed. What distinguishes a Montessori Kindergarten and Preprep? Dr Montessori believed that children have an innate positive attitude towards learning. In a Montessori kindergarten / preprep, there is a special atmosphere of cheerful orderliness, calmness and purposeful work. So the Montessori approach is child-centred but adult-guided. It is structured but free for learning, and emphasises basics in an enjoyable way. Practical Life Activities develop basic personal and social skills. Sensorial Activities enhance and enlarge the child's sense perceptions of the world. Language Activities start the child reading and writing. Mathematics Activities introduce counting and arithmetic. Cultural Activities expose the child to such fields of enquiry as history, geography, culture, anthropology, biology and the arts. Montessori
education leads to self-confident, independent and self-disciplined
children who enjoy learning and who acquire a sound background
for academic and creative skills and interests. |
