First let’s talk a little bit about the Montessori method. Now, please remember that I am no expert and do not claim to be. Maybe others can briefly fill in some of the philosophy or details, or even correct me gently, if I am wrong. Very briefly, the Montessori system of education began in the late 1800s by Maria Montessori. She was a scientist who learned from observation. She based her system upon observing children and experimenting with the environment. She opened her first school in 1907, but her system of education did not become popular in the U.S. until about 1960. The Montessori system is based upon human development as an educational model. The programs are set up to address the developmental needs of children across their age spans from birth through about 24, focusing mostly upon about age 3 - 18. Many classrooms encompass a three-year age span and children interact and learn from each other as well as from their teacher.
The classrooms arrange the environment to fit the needs of children. For instance, they have table and chairs that are size appropriate, and the room is arranged to maintain flow of movement from learning center to learning center, there are few decorations on the walls. The curriculum is based upon the idea of loose-structure, meaning that children have freedom of movement and activity to a certain extent. It is considered to be child-centered, and children are encouraged to construct their own meaning and own learning, making sense out of their world. Within reason, children are given freedom to follow their interests. Several small lessons may be prepared, but then children can choose to investigate on their own. Homework is not encouraged in a Montessori system.
The classrooms arrange the environment to fit the needs of children. For instance, they have table and chairs that are size appropriate, and the room is arranged to maintain flow of movement from learning center to learning center, there are few decorations on the walls. The curriculum is based upon the idea of loose-structure, meaning that children have freedom of movement and activity to a certain extent. It is considered to be child-centered, and children are encouraged to construct their own meaning and own learning, making sense out of their world. Within reason, children are given freedom to follow their interests. Several small lessons may be prepared, but then children can choose to investigate on their own. Homework is not encouraged in a Montessori system.
The Montessori system encourages families to enroll their children about the age of three. The schools like to see children attend five days a week. They also have around 2/3s of the children enrolled return from year to year, which offers stability. Finally, a Montessori school can be expensive.
There is so much more about this system that is worth mentioning. But we don’t have the time here. I encourage you to Google Montessori and find out more if you are interested. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Tomorrow, I will tell you what I think about this system. But now at least we are speaking a little bit of the same language.
Thanks Gail! Jaz will be ready for preschool next year and we were thinking about Montessori. There is a program through the school district, but the slots are filled by lottery.
ReplyDeleteCareful from the information you get online! I fear it gives an incomplete picture of Montessori education and leads to incorrect conclusions. Dr. Montessori's original school was more of a special education model. She felt that all children are born with potential and can learn. She took the children no one else cared about, the poor from the streets, and designed her materials to help them learn. Isn't it ironic that in this country she is a favorite of more affluent families?
ReplyDeleteWhile she does use a developmental approach, the environment is highly structured. The teacher introduces materials to the child based on what she sees the child needs. Materials are didactic, encouraging the child to explore but designed to lead to the intended conclusion. Reading is taught using phonics in a systematic and explicit program. Leveled non-fiction texts are abundant in the classroom. The classroom is child-centered but very adult directed. There is so much that is interesting about this method - a topic for a course. (Montessori teachers undergo 2-3 years of specialized training after college to learn the system.)
Very, very cool. Thanks for the information. Yes, I had heard about her work with children in the not-so-good areas of the city. I've read quite a bit about her. And yes, it is very interesting that this method is a favorite of affluent families. I am interested in the materials used in the schools. I would like to hear more about the explicit/systematic reading program and also about the leveled non-fiction texts. Who are the publishers? I'm going to talk a little more about it tomorrow.
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