Montessori

Montessori education aims to nurture children’s development into complete adults, to be comfortable with themselves and society, as well as humanity as a whole (Iliffe-Moon, 2012).

Background

Maria Montessori became interested in education after graduating from the University of Rome medical school in 1896 with double honours. She became one of the two first women doctors in Italy, and during the first ten years of this profession she treated children and women in both the hospital of Rome and a private clinic (Isaacs, 2012).

                                                                                   (Rachelle, 2009)

Key Events

In 1906, Montessori established the first Montessori nursery, known as the Casa Dei Bambini in Rome. She was given no money for essential materials such as furniture and teachers. Due to this she had to be creative to ensure that her project would succeed. Toys were donated to the nursery and office furniture were reassembled into chairs and tables suitable for children. Montessori cared for the children’s physical needs, therefore children who attended the nursery were weighed, measured and provided with a balanced diet (Isaacs, 2012).

Montessori learned that manipulation and movement were key factors to learning in the early years, therefore the children became active learners. The children in these nurseries were encouraged to help look after their classroom and environment. She also recognised that children needed freedom, within limits, for self-development to be able to take place. This would encourage them to explore their favourable environment which is specially prepared to meet their developmental and also their individual needs (Isaacs, 2012).

Montessori attracted much attention in the press not only in Italy but also internationally during her discoveries between 1907 and 1908. Participants from Europe, North and South America, and Asia attended the first training course and discussions were made to establish Montessori schools in all four of the continents. In 1912 after the death of her mother, Montessori decided to travel within Italy and abroad to give lectures. The first international course was setup in Rome in 1913 which was attended by ninety students from all over the world (Isaacs, 2012).

Montessori Schools Today

There are around 22, 000 Montessori schools around the world, and the majority provide an education for children aged between two and six. Montessori placed the children at the centre of the education process, similar to other educators such as Froebel (1782-1852). Learning environments need to be child-lead while the adults facilitate and ensure that these interests are held within the curriculum (Isaacs, 2012).

Montessori Teachers
The teacher needs to have detailed knowledge of the child’s preferred learning styles a well as their interests, and use a wide range of resources. It is essential for the teacher’s role and attitudes to change to be able to support a child in their self-construction. They should also be patient, humble and respectful of the children’s efforts and should not control them (Isaacs, 2012).

Montessori Settings
Montessori settings enable children to develop at their own pace which follows the natural rhythm of each individual child. “Most parents still see education as a means to financial success in their child’s adult life” (Isaacs, 2012, p. 98). However, today they do recognise that without the personal satisfaction and the ability to be able to face challenges of everyday life their children will not develop in a healthy way (Isaacs, 2012).

Below is a video showing the brief principles of Montessori schools (321fastdraw, 2011):

References

321fastdraw, 2011. Trevor Eissler "Montessori Madness!" - 321 FastDraw. [Online]
Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcgN0lEh5IA
[Accessed 16 December 2013].

Iliffe-Moon, L., 2012. Absorbent Minds Montessori. [Online]
Available at: http://www.absorbentminds.co.uk/acatalog/What_is_Montessori_.html
[Accessed 16 December 2013].

Isaacs, B., 2012. Understanding the Montessori Approach. s.l.:Routledge Ltd.

Rachelle, 2009. My Hero. [Online]
Available at: http://www.myhero.com/go/hero.asp?hero=M_Montessori_whitworth_US_2009_ul
[Accessed 29 December 2013].