About Montessori
Montessori is a unique
method of education developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, a doctor, scientist and
educator (1870-1952). As Italy's first female doctor, Maria
Montessori spent time observing and responding to the developmental needs
of a variety of children. Through her work with children, she developed a
unique educational method and philosophy now known world-wide as the Montessori
Method. This method recognizes that children have a desire to learn and, given
the proper environment, willl develop intellectually, socially, emotionally and
physically. This “prepared environment”, as Dr. Montessori called it,
includes not only the classroom and materials, but also the social setting or
atmosphere. It is imperative that all these things support the
child.
Montessori education employs
individualized learning which allows a child to move ahead in areas of
strength and to receive extra attention when needed on subjects that the child
finds difficult. Montessori students have long work periods in their
mixed-aged classrooms. They are given great freedom and the associated
responsibility therefore promoting high levels of self-motivation and
self-discipline. It is a non-competitive, nurturing environment
that supports the developement of positive self-esteem and self-confidence.
Grace, courtesy, respect and responsibility are the core values of the
Montessori approach.
Who benefits from these teaching methods? Many
different types of children benefit from the Montessori method. It was
originally developed to serve children from low-income families and socially
deprived populations and it worked very well for those children. It
has since been found to address the needs of many academically advanced, average
and special need students. It depends on the particular child and family;
some find Montessori to be a perfect match and others prefer a more traditional
environment.
For more
information please visit these Montessori web sites:
www.montessori.org A general
Montessori reference and support site
www.montessori-namta.org North American
Montessori Teachers Association
www.montessoriconnections.com A commercially
funded site
www.amshq.org American
Montessori Society
www.montessori-ami.org Association
Montessori Internationale
