“The essential thing is for the
task to arouse such an interest that it engages the child’s whole personality.”
(Montessori, M. The Absorbent
Mind 1949)
Maria Montessori (1870-1952) was the first qualified physician in Italy , and took
it upon herself to question what ‘normal’ education was. Montessori aimed for
an educational environment where children’s freedom was significantly
highlighted. Montessori opened the first Children’s House, otherwise known as Casa dei Bambini, in 1907, which became
a model for Montessori childhood education. Important elements of the
Montessori approach to education are the recognition of learning through the
use of senses and using educational toys to help develop children’s learning.
The Montessori approach has three
key concepts to education:
·
The child
·
The environment
·
The teacher
And three stages of development
·
The absorbent mind
·
Childhood
·
Adolescence
Montessori’s aim was to nurture and
support children in order for them to reach their full potential. Her approach
“has made an impact on today’s understanding of early years education and has
influenced present day good practice.” (Isaacs, 2010:1) [1]
In a Montessori classroom it is
encouraged for children to help look after the classroom environment. Children
are free to roam and find activities that best suit them for that day, they may
choose to get involved in group work, or work independently, or simply just sit
and watch others for a small period of time. This freedom to choose activities
for themselves is known as ‘Auto-Education’.[2]
Movement and manipulation are two key areas that uphold the Montessori approach
in all classes. There is a lot of emphasis on learning through practical
activities, with the role of the adult being to help encourage children to show
off their abilities. Materials help generate spontaneous activity and helps
children with skills such as keeping concentration and developing on skills
independently.
“Montessori’s ideas have had a
greater influence on early childhood education than recognized”.[3]
(Feez, 2010:2)
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