An Overview of Montessori | The Montessori Classroom

Montessori:  An Overview

Maria Montessori was born in Italy in 1870.  In 1896 she became the first woman to qualify as a Medical Doctor in Italy

Her ideas and practices for education were formed early in her working career when she had the opportunity to study and observe the way in which children interacted with the world around them. As a result she went on to devise a series of educational methods and principles which, would act as a series of enablers so that the children she worked with might experience the joy of learning in a more self directed and experiential way.

She believed that children have an enormous capacity to learn if given an appropriate and prepared environment, which would enable them to unlock their potential and develop their self confidence and self esteem.

Montessori believed that freedom of choice was one of the most important factors in enabling children to develop as spontaneous and creative individuals.

The Montessori perspective on learning and development involves a holistic approach to education. Montessori wanted her methods to concentrate on developing the whole personality of the child as a foundation for later learning opportunities in life.

Montessori education concentrates on six key areas of learning:

• Practical Life;

• Sensorial

• Language

• Mathematics

• Cultural

• Creative

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The Montessori Classroom

The Montessori classroom is designed to meet all the needs of the child and is based upon the first Montessori School set up in Italy Casa dei Bambini or Children’s House.

The Montessori Classroom is consciously designed to stimulate and support a child’s development. All materials are accessible at all times and promote individuality of learning and development. The materials developed by Maria Montessori are tactile and encourage children to learn and understand complex processes in a manner that they can make sense of at their own level.

The primary role therefore, of the Montessori Teacher is to maintain the prepared environment and facilitate the learning process of the child through observation and encouragement and by stimulating all of the child’s senses. A Montessori Teacher will guide rather than control a child’s learning and be aware of the uniqueness of each child and the ability of that child to develop and learn at his/her own pace.

The result of providing this type of setting means that children can:

• Undertake accessible activities;

• Can work independently and spontaneously

• Develop a sense of shared responsibility

• Can develop social and emotional intelligence

• Can concentrate for extended periods of time in their chosen activities

• Are encouraged to make choices for themselves

• And can contribute effectively in discussions with other children and staff

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