The Purpose of Montessori Education
Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952) the Italian physician who developed the teaching method, believed that the goal of early childhood education should be to
cultivate the child’s natural desire to learn. In the Montessori classroom this objective is approached in two ways: first, by allowing each child to experience the excitement of learning by her own choice rather than by being forced; and second, by helping her to perfect all her natural tools for learning, so that her ability will be at maximum in future learning situations. The Montessori materials have this dual long-range purpose in addition to their immediate purpose of giving specific information to the child.
The use of specially designed materials is based on
the young child’s ability to absorb information from his environment, much like a sponge. Over eighty
years of experience have proved that a young child can learn to read write and calculate in the same natural way that he learns to walk and talk. In a Montessori classroom the equipment invites him to do this at his own periods of interest and readiness.
In order to learn there must be concentration, and the best way a child can concentrate is by fixing his attention on some task he is performing with his hands. All the equipment in the Montessori classroom allows the child to reinforce his casual impressions by
inviting him to use his hands to learn, understand
and remember. Recent research indicates that multi-sensory (hearing, seeing and doing) learning methods like that used in the Montessori classroom are the most
effective for ensuring that a child remembers and understands what he learns.
The Montessori Classroom
The Montessori Primary classroom is geared to the size, the pace and the interest of children between the ages of three and six. It is designed to put the child at ease by giving him freedom in an environment prepared with attractive materials. These materials are arranged on low shelves within easy reach of even the smallest youngster. The tables and chairs in the classroom are movable, permitting a flexible arrangement for many activities. The children also work on small mats on the floor where they are naturally comfortable.
The Montessori materials in the classroom can be divided into three main groups: The Practical Life Exercises, which are the beginning activities for three and four year-old children; The Sensorial Materials, which can be used by all ages in the class; and The Academic Materials, which await each child’s moments of interest in reading, writing, mathematics, geography and culture, and science.
