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Montessori Methods
Q. Where did Montessori come from?
A. Montessori (pronounced MON-tuh-SORE-ee) education was founded in 1907 by Dr. Maria Montessori, the first woman in Italy to become a physician.
She based her educational methods on scientific observation of children's learning
processes. Guided by her discovery that children teach themselves, Dr. Montessori designed
a "prepared environment" in which children could freely
choose from a number of developmentally appropriate activities.
Now, nearly a century after Maria Montessori's first casa dei bambini ("children's
house") in Rome, Montessori education is found all over the world, spanning ages from
birth to adolescence.
Q. What is the difference between Montessori and traditional
education?
A. Montessori emphasizes learning through all five senses, not just through listening,
watching, or reading. Children in Montessori classes learn at their own, individual pace
and according to their own choice of activities from hundreds of possibilities. Learning
is an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation,
self-discipline, and a love of learning. Montessori classes place children in three-year
age groups (3-6, 6-9, 9-12, and so on), forming communities in which the older children
spontaneously share their knowledge with the younger ones. Montessori represents an
entirely different approach to education.
Q. Can I do Montessori at home with my child?
A. Only a trained Montessori teacher can properly implement
Montessori education, using the specialized learning equipment
of the Montessori "prepared environment."
Moreover, the social development that comes from being in an environment with other
children is an integral part of Montessori education. However, Montessori philosophy and practices have much to offer homeschooling parents.
All parents can use Montessori principles of child development at home, complementing your
child's experiences in Montessori school. Look at your home through your child's eyes.
Children need a sense of belonging, and they get it by participating fully in the routines
of everyday life. "Help me do it by myself" is the life theme of the
preschooler. Providing opportunities for independence is the surest way to build your
child's self-esteem.
Montessori Schools
Q. Who accredits or oversees Montessori schools?
A. There are several Montessori organizations to which schools
can belong. The two major ones operating in the United States are the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI, with a U.S. branch
office called AMI-USA) and the American
Montessori Society (AMS). Parents considering placing a child in a Montessori school
should ask about the school's affiliation(s).
Q. What is the best way to choose a
Montessori school for my child?
A. Ask if the school is affiliated with any Montessori organization.
Ask what kind of training the teachers have. Visit the school,
observe the classroom in action, and later ask the teacher or principal to explain the
theory behind the activities you saw. Most of all, talk to your child's prospective
teacher about his or her philosophy of child
development and education to see if it is compatible with your own.
Q. How many Montessori schools are there?
A. NAMTA estimates that there are about 4,000 Montessori schools in the United States and
about 7,000 worldwide.
Q. Are Montessori schools religious?
A. Some are, but most are not. Some Montessori schools, just like other schools, operate
under the auspices of a church, synagogue, or diocese, but most are independent of any
religious affiliation.
Q. Are all Montessori schools private?
A. No. Approximately 200 public schools in the U.S. and Canada offer Montessori programs,
and this number is growing every year.
Q. What does it take to start a Montessori school?
A. A good starting point is a group of parents who want Montessori for their children. The
next step is to look into state and local requirements for schools, such as teacher
training, facilities, class size, etc. Selecting a site and making sure it meets
applicable building codes is also an early part of the process. Montessori materials and
furniture must be purchased, and, unless one of the founders has taken Montessori
training, a teacher must be hired.
Montessori Teachers
Q. What special training do Montessori teachers have?
A. The two major organizations offering Montessori training in the United States are the
Association Montessori Internationale (AMI, with a U.S. branch
office called AMI-USA) and the American
Montessori Society (AMS). Most training centers require a bachelor's degree for
admission. Training ranges from 200 to 600 pre-service contact hours and covers principles
of child development and Montessori philosophy as well as specific uses of the Montessori
classroom materials. Montessori training centers can be found
across North America and around the world.
Montessori Children
Q. Is Montessori good for children with learning
disabilities? What about gifted children?
A. Montessori is designed to help all children reach their fullest potential at their own
unique pace. A classroom whose children have varying abilities is a community in which
everyone learns from one another and everyone contributes. Moreover, multi-age grouping
allows each child to find his or her own pace without feeling "ahead" or
"behind" in relation to peers.
A. Montessori is designed to help all children reach their fullest potential at their own
unique pace. A classroom whose children have varying abilities is a community in which
everyone learns from one another and everyone contributes. Moreover, multi-age grouping
allows each child to find his or her own pace without feeling "ahead" or
"behind" in relation to peers.
A. Montessori is designed to help all children reach their fullest potential at their own
unique pace. A classroom whose children have varying abilities is a community in which
everyone learns from one another and everyone contributes. Moreover, multi-age grouping
allows each child to find his or her own pace without feeling "ahead" or
"behind" in relation to peers.
Q. What ages does Montessori serve?
A. There are more Montessori programs for ages 3-6 than for any other age group, but
Montessori is not limited to early childhood. Many
infant/toddler programs (ages 2 months to 3 years) exist, as
well as elementary (ages 6-9 and 9-12), adolescent (ages 12-15) and even a few Montessori high
schools.
Q. Are Montessori children successful later in life?
A. Research studies show that Montessori children are well
prepared for later life academically, socially, and emotionally. In addition to scoring
well on standardized tests, Montessori children are ranked above average on such criteria
as following directions, turning in work on time, listening attentively, using basic
skills, showing responsibility, asking provocative questions, showing enthusiasm for
learning, and adapting to new situations. |
Content courtesy
of the North
American Montessori Teachers' Association.
© NAMTA. All Rights Reserved |
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