Montessori Education Principles Looked Upon Favorably

Montessori education principles help children learn. Founded by Maria Montessori, this teaching method has launched a student-centered revolution in education. Many schools in North America now practice some form of her methodology. Her methods were innovative and helped to inspire children to use their creativity. It is designed to help students learn by using their own individualized learning styles. This method has gained considerable support from educators over the past century, and many schools follow these principles.

Maria was not an educator but rather a licensed physician. She observed children and their learning styles. She was able to determine that they often are able to teach themselves. Montessori instructors do not assign grades, but instead let children learn at their own pace. Guidance is provided, but the children are encouraged to learn at their own pace and using their own unique learning style.

Responsibility for their choices is a value taught in this method of learning. It is a very child-centered approach. When a child is working in this form of learning, interruptions are discouraged. It is quite different than the public school system which is more centered around the teachers, administrators, and those who decide the state standards.

Students trained in this form of instruction tend to develop strong self-esteem and exhibit confidence in their ability to learn. This approach to education allows the students to do much of their own learning without a traditional top-down approach. There are many books on the subject that can help people learn more about this method. The approach has been used long enough now for it to have fostered a fairly large base of supportive scholarship on the merits and drawbacks of the approach.

Instead of just memorizing facts for a quiz and writing papers which is done in a traditional educational setting, children in this method of learning use their sight, taste, sound, touch, and smell to incorporate learning. Looking at the larger picture also helps them. They look at the smaller issues after the big picture is mastered.

Parents are encouraged to help their children learn and to limit their exposure to television and video games. Modern electronic systems can sometimes inhibit personal growth and creativity, since things like television and video games promote passivity rather than active learning. The Montessori approach is more focused on hands on learning than passive reception of material.

Students are encouraged to proceed at their own pace and not to compete with other students. Everyone is expected to learn at the pace that is comfortable for them and not at some predetermined standard that is norm-referenced against someone else. Children are still encouraged to achieve, but they are measured against their own goals and not compared to class mates as a basis for assessing progress.

Montessori education principles can be applied to students of all ages and abilities. They can also be effective for teaching children with disabilities including those with Autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This individualized approach can help students achieve and foster self-confidence. It can be adapted to a variety of different learning styles, and it is popular with many innovative educators.

By: Allan Ryckman

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