Montessori

 

Maria Montessori 1870-1952

 

 

Maria Montessori was born at the time of a political difference that caused the merge of Italy. (Isaacs, 2010) Personally I admire Maria Montessori for her sheer determination. She was a credit to women and her country, still achieving and gaining respect even today demonstrating the advanced ideas she had in her time.

She became Professor of Pedagogy at the University of Rome in 1900. (Britton, 1992).The experience and observations made at the psychiatric hospital inspired Maria to research further into the different levels of mental debility and expressed her concern of children, regarded as ‘ idiots’ (Britton, 1992) in the psychiatric hospital. She believed they required more schooling rather than given medication (Isaacs, 2012).

Edouard and Itard’s works with disabled individuals  intrigued Maria (Isaacs, 2010). She took on board their methods and applied her own  which  proved great results, soon drawing a lot of  admiration from parents and colleges worldwide(NNDB, 2012).

In 1906 Maria  established a school for disadvantaged children in a deprived area in San Lorenso. It was named. ‘Casa dei Bambini’ ( Children’s House)

 At this school the initial stages of Montessori’s  schooling of Italy’s children began to take place (Isaacs, 2012) as Maria had ample opportunity to use her theories on typical children, again, proving to be very successful. (Britton, 1992) Montessori believed that a child learns self- sufficiently by hands on learning and experimenting at their own pace within a mixed age group and no structured time scale. She developed resources  meant for a specific learning stage and all furniture are child friendly meeting their physical needs.  (Britton, 1992)

Maria promoted that the first 6 years of a child’s life is the most significant and she was confident in her beliefs to cultivate a child’s progress as a whole (WA, 2008) in a calm, relaxed orderly classroom with children having a clear impression of what is expected of them (Feez, 2010) (Eisenberg, 2013)

 

 

·         The absorbent mind. (0-6 years)

Considered the most important of stages, engrossed and imitates from within their surroundings and promptly gaining verbally. From 3-6 determination and recollection emerging.

·         Childhood (6-12 years)

Achievements are constantly being acquired from society.

·          Adolescence (12-18 years)

Phase of achieving independence. Numerous changes are happening at this period that requires as much attentiveness as the first stage.

·         18+ years

 

(Britton, 1992)

 

 

Areas of Learning

 

Practical- encouraging everyday activities from the home such as wiping tables, polishing shoes, cleaning windows. Reinforcing hand eye coordination and concentration, promoting confidence.

 

Sensorial- Specifically designed resources inspire children to explore and self- correct.

 

Mathematical- Resources scaffold children’s instinct of mathematics in their own pace quietly building confidence to progress.

 

Language-Children’s communication and social skills are encouraged to be displayed with both adults and peers.

 

·         Cultural Exploration of the World Around-Different cultures from around the world are observed and applauded alongside other interests of the children.

(MMS, 2012)

 

 

 

 

 

BRITTON, L. Montessori Play and Learn. London: Vermillion, 1992.

Eisenberg,I. Retrieved 22^nd March 2013 from Bambino Montessori House of Children

https://sites.google.com/site/bamohoc/fourstageofdevelopment

 

 

FEEZ, S. Montessori and Early Childhood. London: Sage, 2010.

ISAACS, B. Bringing the Montessori Approach to your Early Years Practice. Abington: Routledge, 2010.

ISAACS, B. Understanding the Montessori Approach. Abington: Routledge, 2012.

                                                                                                                                

MMS, (2012) Retrieved 22^nd March 2013 from Areas of Learning.

http://www.mariamontessorischools.co.uk/

 

NNDB, (2012) Retrieved 20^th March 2013 from Maria Montessori. http://www.nndb.com/people/189/000108862/

WA, (2008) Learning and Teaching Pedagogy. Cardiff: Welsh Assembly.