He Montessori method Is a student-centered educational approach based on scientific observations that collect data from birth to adulthood.
According to this methodology it is considered that the child has the innate ability to start learning spontaneously if the environment where it is located is carefully prepared.
In this system not only the learning of logical-mathematical and rational competences, but also the socio-emotional and cognitive-physical development that is highly related to the social skills , So necessary today to be able to develop the potential of a person with fullness.
History of the Montessori Method
This type of education so complete, came about thanks to a woman who had knowledge in various subjects, her name was María Montessori , Whose last name gives the method name. Maria, originally from Italy, was born in the summer of 1870.
This woman is credited with a large number of trades; Educator, pedagogue, scientific, medical, psychiatrist, philosopher, psychologist?? The truth is that his knowledge was extensive, so that it was easier to create a method that gathered knowledge from various branches.
The birth of the method is attributed to the time of the year 1900, as it is when Mary begins to work with children who at that time, according to the medical canon, were considered mentally disturbed. Maria, realized that these children really had potentialities, and that if they developed properly, they could have a more optimal life.
This happens, when Maria, observes several children interned in an institution, which manipulated the food instead of ingesting it. In witnessing this act, she discovers that to these children what they needed was to touch, activate, contact with the concrete and the real, and in this way to develop their own intelligence and potentiality.
It is during this period that María Montessori decides to dedicate her life to children.
In this story, several people are important as Maria, in developing her pedagogical trajectory, discovered the work of other professionals who had a vision of teaching and development similar to her own.
- Jean Itard , Who establishes the importance of observation in children and understands that children can not impose learning.
- Eduardo Séquin , Which creates exercises and materials so that the child can develop his own faculties naturally and at his pace according to his stage.
- Johann Heinrich , Who emphasized the teacher's preparation, so that he understood that in order to achieve a change in others, the person had to experience his own change first, as well as to have love for his work and the children with whom he works.
What is the difference between Montessori and traditional education?
The main differences are:
- The method emphasizes learning through all Body senses , Is not limited to listening or seeing, as in traditional teaching.
- The child learns to Your own rhythm and your own choice Of activities.
- The lessons is it so Grouped in ranges of 3 years of age , Ie: from 3 to 6 years, from 6 to 9 years, from 9 to 12 years old etc. It is organized in this way because older children tend to spontaneously share their knowledge with younger children.
- The teaching is intended to incite the child's innate hunger for knowledge, making the child feel Love for learning By doing it a personal process.
- The teacher serves as Guide and accompaniment , Does not impose what should be learned in the classroom.
- There are no grades or grades .
Principles of the Montessori Method
The basic principles governing the method are
1- The primary respect for the child
This principle is the pillar on which lie the other 4 principles remaining.
Montessori, was very aware that adults do not respect children in the decisions they make. We try to force them to do what we think is best for them, often without taking into account the needs that these children have.
As adults, from a teaching based on discipline and authoritarianism we expect these children to react with us in a submissive way and with a behavior that adults believe is appropriate because it is the one that suits us.
According to Montessori, it is best to treat them with delicacy and respect, so that their development can reach its full potential, as well as being optimal and safe. Therefore, it is necessary to respect the decisions of the child in their learning environment, and to trust them, since they are able to learn thanks to the decision of the options presented to them, developing in this way their own abilities and abilities.
In addition, the fact that we let them decide and learn with support, reinforces their self-esteem and self-confidence. If an adult trusts me, because I would not trust myself
2- Children have an absorbing mind
It can be said that humans acquire the knowledge of contact with the environment. Experiential learning is retained and processed much better, and its storage in the long-term memory is more effective.
Children possess a quality that allows them to learn naturally, we are talking about the ability to acquire knowledge spontaneously by absorbing. With the verb to absorb I mean that, the little ones learn of unconscious form, passing gradually that learning towards the conscience.
Surely you have heard that children are like sponges, so let me tell you that it is a wrong comparison, since sponges have a limited absorption capacity, and children do not.
It is important that you keep in mind that because of the simple fact of being, children learn from their environment. You must remember this as to what they will learn from what exists in their context, whether the environment contains pleasant or unpleasant stimuli, or whether there are positive behaviors or hostile behaviors
3- Take into account the sensitive periods
It refers to those periods when children are more likely to acquire a skill much more easily than at other stages. These stages are determined in a normative and biological way, and the trajectory is based on the process of evolution.
It is important to know that although all children experience the same sensitive periods, the sequence and time vary for each child. This ability allows children to acquire a certain quality that allows them to learn about other aspects of their environment and context.
According to Montessori, the sensitive period determines a transitory provision limited to the acquisition of a particular trait. Once this trait has been acquired, the special sensitivity disappears, to make way for a new one.
The adult should be observant to detect these periods.
4- Have a prepared environment
Montessori believed that children have greater and better learning in an environment prepared for this purpose. He also considers it relevant that in this environment children can do things for themselves.
The context is focused on active learning, where freedom is the essential characteristic.
Freedom is important as they feel more confident in exploring, and make their own choices as to the choice of material to learn.
5- Self-education
María Montessori said that Children, they educate themselves.
Children who are actively involved in their learning context, and can freely decide that they are going to use their time to develop skills can be said to enjoy being able to practice self-education.
As for the adult, Montessori stressed that he should guide the child without the child feeling too much presence, the adult should always be available to provide the child with the help he needs, but never be an obstacle between the child and his own experience .
How to practice the montessori method at home?
Next I will give you some guidelines so that you can offer the children of the house another way to learn.
1- Create an orderly and accessible environment
Having a place for everything is favorable for children, as they will know what they need and know where they should leave it once they finish using it. This fosters autonomy and independence. Having an environment where everything has its place, encourages the distraction is less, causing the child to focus on the task to be performed.
For example, you can adapt the spaces for him, putting shelves where he is able to reach, or food from the refrigerator in a low area accessible to him. The idea is that the child can access without problems the materials that need to be used to develop.
2- Teach real-life skills
In schools where the Montessori method is practiced, students are taught to take care of themselves and the space they are in, making them easily acquire a positive self-concept related to the autonomy and utility they have for others .
These children, wash the tables, and those furniture that serve to organize their materials. They prepare their food and the bigger ones help the little ones. This makes them acquire skills that will be useful to them in real life, as well as feel valuable to the community.
So you can get your child to work at home. It is important that you take into account the age of the child and that you have the patience to teach how the task is performed.
3- Promoting concentration
To learn, you need to get involved in the task as well as focus on what you are doing. As adults, we must look at what stimuli arouse the interest and motivation of the child to relate them to the learning materials.
Keep in mind that each child is different, and may prefer different places in the house, to perform certain tasks. Listen to your choice and adjust the space you choose to the task you are performing and your age. It is important to adjust the environment to the child so that you can focus on what you are doing.
4- Nourishing internal motivation
Anyone, child or adult will be more involved in a task if he feels that there is an intrinsic value in the work he does. That is, if it makes personal sense to perform the task for oneself. If external rewards are used with children, the pleasure for the work done will be truncated, and the motivation will be less lasting and meaningful for the child.
Try not to encourage your child to learn through rewards such as toys, money, or other outside stimuli. The right thing to do if you use this method is to promote the sense of homework for each child. You can praise the effort that the child makes to achieve it, encourage him to continue, and support him in his decision.
5 - Let the child move freely
Movement and cognition are closely linked, this means that the child needs to move to learn. Do not limit it to a space or a zone, remember that the child must have experiences and stimulation of the context to learn.
6- Meaningful learning goes deeper
When the child learns meaningfully in real contexts, knowledge is deeper and richer than that acquired in abstract contexts, where the task is explained on paper.
That is, how about instead of talking about how cookies are made, do you help your child prepare them himself?
References
- American Montessori Society: http://amshq.org/