MONTESSORI MY OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST WIFE WHO SPECIALIZES IN DEVELOPMENT WANTS TO PUT OUR SON IN A MONTESSORI PRE-SCHOOL SO? I DECIDED TO HAVE A LOOK

History Created by an Italian Doctor named Maria Montessori in Used Scientific Observation of the learning process to design developmentally appropriate activities. Had success with poor children and “deficient” students..

Brief Summary Child development-at the time, research on development was new, but she used trial and error to determine developmentally appropriate activities. birth to 6 is the most important development time. Sensory/learning styles-multiple intelligences, learning styles and sensory needs are accounted for. Self determination-students choose activities from work centers that have practical applications. Multi-age-older students are often encouraged to model for younger students.

Key Principles The instruction is sensorial and based on practical life. Math, language and culture are integrated into a calm, consistent, structured environment. Love of learning is nurtured and intrinsic motivation is cultivated. Independence and self discipline. Teachers are observers that work one on one or in small groups when needed. Otherwise, they facilitate learning opportunities and observe-children have control over their learning. Concrete to abstract Interpersonal skills are taught and competition is discouraged.

Importance for classrooms Ideally all schools and classrooms account for development, brain research, and how children learn. If a classroom is not a trained Montessori class, it can still account for the key principles.

Importance for schools Maria Montessori got a class of children that were basically considered dregs to pass the 6 th grade standards in Italy over a hundred years ago. A school that is willing to take a chance could have huge payoffs. There are very few public schools(less then 200) using Montessori but those that do are successful.

How to use in our classrooms Children need to have meaningful learning opportunities, and in the absence of an actual Montessori Class, classrooms can still give students choice and encourage many of the principles. Attention to development and learning styles will produce engaging instruction. It would be interesting to teach a Montessori class?

How to use in schools Small schools that have unique cultural needs and multi-aged classrooms seem ideally suited for this type of instruction. Without being a trained Montessori professional, it seems practical to implement something that works. I would be interested to learn how this style would blend with Alaskan Native cultural needs. In larger schools, finding room for Montessori style classrooms seems practical. It gives more choice and is likely to be successful.

Analysis of Strengths The Montessori Method teaches students to learn using practical lessons and allows them to grow at their own pace. Development is key to social growth, and educational growth. Montessori works! It is constructivist and incorporates experiential learning. Kids need to feel in control of their lives, just like adults. BRAIN RESEARCH supports it.

Analysis of Weakness In today’s political climate, test scores are very important and a system that does not encourage grades may not be practical. Traditional schools are safe. Imaginative play is discouraged-not true, real tasks tend to trump fake play. Competition is good- agree, but at a developmentally appropriate age. To do it well, lots of training is needed and it needs to have support. It is outside many teachers comfort zones.

YES I would put my son in a Montessori school, provided it had a track record and lots of training and I still want him to play football.