The Montessori
method has a considerable influence in the development of the preschool
child. Here is some information on the immense benefits of this unique
preschool method of education.
The home environment
is designed for adults and therefore, adapted to an adult's needs
and modes of living. The Montessori House of Children is an extension
of the home environment. Children around 2 - 2 ½ years need
this second environment (the Montessori House). This is something
that adults owe the child. Dr. Montessori, realizing the tremendously
absorbent nature of the child’s mind, prepared a special environment
for the child. To educate the WHOLE child, that child must have freedom
to develop his physical, intellectual and spiritual powers to the
fullest.
Non-Competitive
Atmosphere
There is no competition
in the Montessori classroom - children work individually with the
materials. Each child relates only to his own previous work, and the
progress is not compared to the achievement of other youngsters. Dr.
Montessori believed that competition in education should be introduced
only after the child has gained confidence in the use of basic skills.
“Never let a child risk failure,” she wrote, “until
he has a reasonable chance of success.” The Montessori method
introduces children to the joy of learning at an early age, and provides
a framework in which intellectual and social discipline go hand-in-hand.
Montessori’s
Educational Philosophy
The Montessori
child is free to learn, because he has acquired an "inner discipline".
This is the core of Dr. Montessori’s educational philosophy.
From his earliest days in a Montessori classroom, the child is surrounded
by the order of the "prepared environment" (the classroom),
has carried out a progression of tasks in an ordered manner and has
been stimulated and challenged by the material at hand. Aware that
it is his own initiative that leads to his own accomplishments, the
Montessori child develops habits of concentration, perseverance and
thoroughness that are truly his. This inner challenge, established
in early childhood, produces a confident, competent learner in later
years. Montessori’s claim was “We are helping the child
to help himself”.
