AN INTRODUCTION TO MONTESSORI

The Montessori method was created by Maria Montessori. Born in 1870, Italy’s first female physician, she worked mainly with underprivileged and handicapped children. Through her observations she realised that children preferred to do meaningful tasks rather than just play, and with this in mind she began to create a series of apparatus to aid their learning. Each apparatus with a purpose and a control, so that the child would realise if they had made a mistake, allowing them to correct themselves. This allowed the children to work on their own at their own pace, until they had mastered their task.

The environment she realised was also important. A place where children could be free to explore and choose their own “work”, at a child’s level using child-sized furniture and equipment. Allowing them to choose work that appeals to their inner sense of learning and allowing them to develop at their own pace without the pressure of adults trying to force the child to work that they are not ready for, and so not damaging their self esteem but nurturing self-confidence and independence.

The Montessori classroom is set out to cover a number of different areas:-

The “practical life” area is specifically designed to help the children care for themselves and their environment. To dress themselves using the dressing frames, (buttons, press-studs, zips, buckles, laces, bows, safety pins and hooks and eyes), to pour using a variety of materials from rice to water, to polish, to sweep, and a host of other materials that allow them to master their environment.

The “sensorial” area helps them learn through their senses. Helping them learn to judge heights, lengths, weights, colours, sounds, smells, shapes and textures.

The geography, science and history area helping them understand their immediate environment and the world as a whole.

The language area is teaching them the phonetic alphabet and expanding their reading, language and communication skills.

The maths area is teaching them the recognition of numerals, sequencing and the solving of mathematical problems.

Music, movement and dance appealing to their sense of creativity whilst developing an awareness of what their body is capable of physically.

All these areas in the Montessori classroom help to enrich your child’s total development.

The teacher or rather the directress, as Maria Montessori preferred to call her, uses her skills of observation to determine each child’s level of development and then introduces materials that are suitable for that child, guiding them in the proper use of that material, then allowing them to continue on their own. The directress is seen as a helper and guide by the children, someone who is there when needed, someone who will allow the child the freedom to do things for themselves. A guide to their world of independent learning. Helping them master their environment and becoming a well-rounded, happy, responsible member of their community.

The Montessori method is unique. It is based on a sensible balance of freedom and structure, specifically designed for the young child. It provides a welcoming environment with carefully prepared materials that meet the child’s natural needs. Guided by a thoroughly trained Montessori directress, Montessori gives your child a strong base and instills a life-long motivation for continuous learning, helping them develop into happy and fulfilled adults.