If you are a parent, you may be familiar with the term "Montessori". Montessori education is an approach developed by Italian physician, educator, and innovator Dr Maria Montessori, who believed education should prepare a person for all aspects of life. Over the course of her life and career, Dr Montessori developed a method based on the belief that children are naturally curious, self-directed learners, and they should be allowed to explore and discover at their own pace.
On January 6, 1907, Dr Montessori opened the Casa dei Bambini - Italian for “Children's House” in Rome. This pioneering facility focused on educating each child based on their unique development stage. This personalised, child-led approach to learning is still used today in educational settings. Read on to learn more about the benefits of Montessori education and why you should consider incorporating its values into your parenting style.
Independent Learning
Encouraged to explore and learn at their own pace, Montessori children are provided with a carefully prepared environment where they can choose activities that resonate with their interests and developmental needs. Montessori classrooms are carefully designed to promote independence, with easy access to tools and resources that children can use. As such, children are empowered to take charge of their learning journey, fostering a profound sense of self-confidence and independence. This independent approach allows children to take responsibility for their own learning, harnessing their natural curiosity and innate desire to learn more about the world around them.
Hands-On Learning
Traditional education, where young children are made to sit still for long periods, stifles their innate need to move, explore and interact with their environment. One of Australia's leading parenting and educational writers and speakers, Michael Grose, claimed, “Little kids aren't designed for sitting for long periods of time”. In fact, movement and hands-on learning is integral to brain development in young children.
Montessori education is based on the belief that children learn best by doing. In Montessori classrooms, children are encouraged to engage with their surroundings and explore various subjects through tangible, interactive activities. This benefits numerous areas of development, including fine motor skills, problem-solving skills and self-confidence.
Love Of Learning
Montessori education fosters a long-lasting love of learning in children. By nurturing their innate curiosity and encouraging exploration, Montessori classrooms create an environment where children are free to pursue their interests and passions. Unlike traditional educational settings, learning is not confined to rigid schedules or predefined curricula; instead, children are encouraged to learn at their own pace, encompassing various learning style preferences or stages of development, which can vary regardless of age.
Montessori Toys
You can begin your child’s Montessori-central education by providing them with toys and puzzles inspired by its core values. You can introduce Montessori-inspired toys as early as you wish; for instance, you could attach a sensory puzzle toy to your baby’s buggy to help develop their fine motor skills. Montessori toys are typically made from natural materials like wood and organic rubber, nurturing a connection to the natural world and helping to reduce your family’s carbon footprint. Furthermore, Montessori toys are highly durable, providing ongoing learning, longevity and adaptability as your little one grows.
Montessori Parenting
One major disadvantage of Montessori schools is the expense. Due to the high quality of teaching materials and resources and extensive teacher training, Montessori educational facilities average annual costs ranging between $12,000 and $15,000 for tuition. If enrolling your little one in a Montessori school is out of your financial limitations, consider incorporating some of its key values into your parenting style. Montessori painting can be defined as a relaxed, open-minded approach, allowing your child the freedom to learn, play and interact with their environment at their own pace, with healthy, consistent limits. You can read more about Montessori parenting in this article.
Social And Emotional Development
Montessori classrooms are typically multi-age, allowing children of different stages in development to interact with one another, fostering a harmonious and inclusive learning environment. This encourages what is known as scaffolding. Scaffolding has become a key concept in education, describing a supportive and guided learning process provided by caregivers, teachers, or more knowledgeable peers. By being in a classroom with older children, younger learners watch, follow and learn through observation and practice, aiding their social and emotional development.