Montessori is an educational system developed by Maria Montessori over 100 years ago. Maria Montessori was an Italian doctor and a scientist. Using scientific methods, she began working with and observing young children. She found they are immensely more capable than had been previously thought. Montessori developed very specific materials that encouraged development in practical life skills, sensorial understanding, mathematics, language, grace and courtesy, and peace. She encouraged children to take charge of their own education, acting more as a guide than a teacher. In a Montessori classroom, children are expected to have lessons on materials from a guide and spend a bulk of their time making their own work choices. Children are encouraged to work together to help each other and solve their own problems. The adults in the classroom ideally act more as support and guidance than leaders.
Montessori classrooms are mixed ages, typically grouped in three years: 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, and so on. Part of this is to allow the younger children to observe the older children, who serve as role models. Older children are also available to help the younger children. This shows the younger children that anyone can help one another and it helps older children develop confidence and compassion. Another consideration for the mixed age groups was Montessori’s theory of the planes of development. Without going into too much detail, the planes of development divide childhood growth into 6-year cycles, each broken down into two 3-year cycles.
Montessori materials are designed to isolate one particular skill for the child to focus on. For example, when learning shapes, every shape is blue. The only unique thing about each shape is… its shape. When learning colors, each color is presented with uniformly shaped tablets.
Additionally, there is a built in “control of error,” that is, if a child does the work incorrectly, it is obvious to the child. For a puzzle, the pieces will fit perfectly into the correct spot. When sorting items, there should be the same amount of each category. Older children can be given tools for checking their own work, rather than relying on an adult to tell them if they’re right or wrong.
Montessori classrooms also try to incorporate as much of nature as possible into the learning experience. A safe outdoor space where a child may freely go out and in to explore is ideal. Otherwise, lots of exploration in nature is considered an important addition to the curriculum.
As more and more research is done on child development, it’s becoming more clear how far ahead of the time Maria Montessori was. More experts are seeing the value of children making choices, having concrete learning experiences, and working with peers. Strict Montessori education may not be for everyone, but I feel all children can benefit from the philosophy of encouraging the development and education of the whole child.
