The Montessori approach to education was named after Maria Montessori, an early 20th-century Italian doctor. She worked closely with children and observed them to create an education environment around the inherent nature of children, which was known as the Montessori Method. There are over 20,000 Montessori schools in the world. Especially for preschoolers, the Montessori method has proved to be extremely successful. The Montessori approach has been around for 100 years and is being adapted increasingly in schools worldwide.
Self-sufficiency and independence is one of the key concepts that a child learns in a Montessori classroom. Unlike traditional teaching methods, this approach incorporates special cognitive, physical and emotional activities that build confidence in children from the start. Here are some of the ways in which such Montessori schools in Pune will help make your child become an independent individual from the formative years:
- Mixed-age classrooms: The Montessori method wants the children to be open to as many experiences as possible. They do not encourage unnecessary division based on ages. Thus, they have children of varying ages sitting and learning in one classroom. The students are basically clubbed into groups of three subsequent ages (for example, 3-6 years). Peer learning is encouraged in the classroom. The younger ones learn important lessons by observing the older children. The older children learn leadership and empathy by helping the younger ones.
Due to the varying ages in the classroom, the older students especially, get the responsibility of teaching the younger ones. This inculcated ownership and leadership skills in the students. This also helps in solidifying their knowledge.
- Progressive Classrooms: The classroom offers an environment full of possibilities for the students. They do not simply parrot numbers and letters, instead, work with specially designed materials. For example, they use movable letters to understand letters and form words. The classroom is a ‘prepared environment’ which offers all of the materials a child needs to learn and grow. The low shelves are filled with enticing objects to spur the children’s interests. Montessori teachers observe the children and decide what work to place on the shelves to meet the children’s interests and needs at the time. Every little thing has its place in the classroom which teaches the children the sense of order from the beginning.
Montessori schools ensure that they teach the sense of order to the children. Each item in the classroom has a fixed place. The child is required to pick them up when using and keep it back in the same place.
- Academics: The classroom of a Montessori school is a student-driven world. If there are 30 students in a class, each student will decide their own curriculum according to their interests. They might even work at different academic levels. The educators offer assistance to each child according to their requirements. A child performing yoga and another engaged in math in the same room is a common sight in a Montessori classroom. The educators ensure that they not only teach academics but also practical and sensorial skills. These include learning to tie their shoelaces, carefully pouring water from a bottle, etc.
The Montessori approach ensures that focus is paid on practical and sensorial skills along with academics. The students learn how to tie their shoelaces, pour water from a jar without spilling, button and unbutton clothes through dressing frames, etc. The educators, especially for younger children, help the children enhance their knowledge through their senses. For example, using sound cylinders for identifying objects.
- The Guide: The teacher in a Montessori classroom is referred to as a guide. Since they perform the role of guiding the students and spurring them to find their own interests. They do not stand in front of the classroom with chalk in hand. They offer one-on-one guidance to each student. They only work to offer the tools of learning to the student. The path is chosen by the students themselves.
Among all this, the educators ensure that the child’s academic growth is not hindered. They offer one-on-one attention to each child. They offering them resources according to their interests and needs. The teaching of language and math follow the child’s instincts with creative and concrete material.
The guide in the classroom gives the material of learning to the students. The children are free to choose when they want to indulge in them. But that doesn’t mean that there are no limits. There are choices offered to the student from which they can choose as they please. This increases accountability and independence in the students.
Your child will take his first steps to become an individual here. Preschool is where your child leaves the comfort and security of home and steps into the world. Montessori schools offer the best space for a child to do that.
