I get asked a lot, “Is Montessori right for my child?” “Is it only for kids who can plan well and are super independent?” “Or only for kids that can sit quietly and work and not run about?”
I’ve found that Montessori is suitable for all children. The materials offer opportunities to learn visually, aurally, kinaesthetically (through touch) and verbally, and thus easily accessible to children who learn in different ways.
The teacher prepares and connects the child to the environment which is full of beautiful materials to explore and the children learn through discovery.
One of my children learns a lot from observing the other children – he watches and watches others doing an activity, then after some time tries it himself and has generally already mastered it. And my other child learns by doing the activity herself and repeating and repeating it until it is mastered. Both children have thrived in this environment despite their different learning styles.
2. Does your child have to be able to plan?
Planning their day is something Montessori children learn. Some children need more guidance than others, but a good Montessori teacher should be able to guide children who need more assistance to organise their work.
Both my children gradually learned the planning process during their time at Montessori preschool and primary school. And this was mastered in upper primary (the bovenbouw). Under 9 years, they could mostly do the activities they wanted as long as they were moving ahead in all areas of the class.
3. What if my child needs to move a lot?
If you enter a Montessori classroom, it can indeed be quite quiet. The children seem focussed on their activities without the teacher having to yell to calm them down. However, the children are also allowed to get up and move around the classroom so it can be ideal for children who need to move.
4. What is your family approach?
While I believe Montessori is suitable for all children, Montessori is not for all families. If you are laissez-faire at home where your child can do what they like, eat what they want and go to bed as they wish, they may find the limits of the Montessori classroom too constraining. And if you are strict at home, and your child is used to cooperating via rewards, stickers and time outs, they could find it difficult to control themselves with the freedom in the Montessori classroom.
Montessori schools are most suited to children in families where there is respect for the child, the parent set few but clear limits, and the child learns to respect and follow these limits.
Want to know what to look for in a Montessori school? Watch THIS video.
While many students and families love the benefits of a Montessori school, there are a few downsides, including: Limited Availability and cost of tuition: Montessori schools are not as widespread as traditional public or private schools, making them less accessible in some areas.
Montessori education sparks curiosity in children by allowing them to explore and discover the world around them in a hands-on, experiential way. Naturally curious children who desire to learn will thrive in a Montessori environment. Montessori education also emphasizes collaboration and social skills.
Although there is no proven research that supports the idea that Montessori education is better than any other method, students who attend Montessori schools are most likely to have a higher interest in learning, be more self-disciplined, and be more independent.
A Montessori education has been linked to elevated psychological well-being as an adult. One reason is that children in Montessori schools are allowed to choose their own work and participate in meaningful activities. They also experience greater social stability and cohesion in their classes.
Studies conducted over the last thirty years appear to support this view, suggesting that various aspects of Montessori teaching methods could benefit children's cognitive abilities, social skills, creativity, sensorimotor development and academic results.
You may or may not already know, but Montessori schools discourage the introduction of fantasy to young children (children under the ages of 5 or 6). This means we do not use play kitchens, have a dress-up area in the classroom, or rely on books with dragons and fairies.
In a Montessori environment, it is the norm for adults to acknowledge accomplishments and encourage efforts rather than praise or offer rewards. As mentioned above, the idea is for children to learn how to take pride in their own accomplishments, rather than only put in effort for adult praise or external rewards.
The American philosopher and educator John Dewey, and his student William Heard Kirpatrick, thought Montessori's program stifled creativity and focused too much on the individual.
These include: critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication; otherwise known as 'The Four C's. ' These skills can't be taught by teaching children to memorize and repeat. They must develop these skills through rich learning experiences that inspire them to master these skills over time.
Strong-willed kids can benefit from this approach, learning at their own comfortable pace. The Montessori method fosters independence and self-confidence. Children are taught to dress, feed, and care for themselves. Strong-willed children often thrive when given a chance to do things “all by themselves.”
The Montessori Method is also known for its 3-year cycle of learning. Children stay together, often with the same teacher, for that extended period, getting to know one another and themselves as they grow.
The best time to enroll your child into a Montessori school is between the ages of 2.5 and 6 years old, when they are most sensitive to the world around them. During this time, children master a wide set of skills while pursuing their interests. So start looking for a Montessori school sooner than later!
Analysing their progress at age five, Lillard found that the children who went to the Montessori school tended to have better literacy, numeracy, executive function and social skills, compared to those who had attended the other schools. And at age 12, they showed better story-telling abilities.
Montessori is “right” for families with a range of communication styles and learning expectations; however, families who are generally disorganized (arrive late in the morning, pick up children at varying times, and have difficulty reading and responding to school correspondence with consistency), may experience ...
Montessori schools are most suited to children in families where there is respect for the child, the parent set few but clear limits, and the child learns to respect and follow these limits.
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