What is Montessori Education?
Montessori education utilizes a “whole child” approach to instruction. Over 100 years ago its founder, Maria Montessori, a brilliant educator and scientist, wanted to prove that children could learn best in an environment of hand-on immersion experiences. She felt that tactile exploratory learning opportunities would form a strong foundation for later abstract learning (such as math facts, reading, science exploration, etc.). She theorized that teachers should instead become “directors” and actually “quietly follow the child” in order to discern their interests, strengths and weaknesses. By doing so, a teacher would then know how best to reach their students through appropriate individualized learning experiences that would stimulate true growth and learning.What happened with her “experiment” was something truly extraordinary. She not only realized that her theories were correct, but she also found that this individualized learning was extremely successful with all types of students, regardless of age, learning style or socioeconomic background. Thus was born “Montessori education,” which today has grown to be an international method of teaching used in classrooms around the globe.
This individualized curriculum, provided by specially trained Montessori teachers, is directed at developing students’ self-confidence and self-discovery. Students, with the help of their teachers, become active participants in their learning experience. Early on, children are surrounded by inviting Montessori materials, which help them to build a solid educational foundation. Students then seamlessly progress to more complex learning ideas. All of this is provided in a multi-age setting, which allows for students to be mentored and become mentors, and gives students a chance to work at a pace comfortable to their needs without stigma.
Does the Montessori philosophy work with the Michigan State Standards of education?
What subjects are included in the Montessori curriculum?
- Language Arts, Reading, and Literature
- Mathematics and Geometry
- Science Studies (including Botany and Zoology)
- History and Social Sciences
- Art and Music
- Physical Education
- Practical Life Lessons (including Grace and Courtesy and Peace studies)
- Foreign Language Instruction
- Computers & Technology
Does the Montessori method really make a difference?
This is not to say that your child will become the next internet sensation, famous musician or spectacular inventor. However, it is interesting to note that in the list of people mentioned above, there is a varied group of individuals with similar qualities – abstract thinkers who are able to see things in a different light, and who possessed the confidence to reach their individual goals and fulfill their dreams. Montessori education creates in its students the power to do all of this and more.
Please feel free to call us to learn more about what a Montessori Education can mean for your child.
What nature of work done is done in the classroom?
Below are some links to videos and resources showing the type of work that is done in the classroom using the Montessori method of teaching.
http://www.wikisori.org/index.php/Parent_Resources
http://www.wikisori.org/index.php/Ten_Board
http://www.wikisori.org/index.php/Creative_Story_Telling_with_Small_Objects