Montessori System – it's fashionable. Every year more and more Montessori clubs, kindergartens and schools open. What is hidden under such a buzzword as "Montessori"?
This is a special method of raising children of preschool and school age. Its author is Italian educator and scientist Maria Montessori.
At the beginning of the 20th century, she became seriously interested in the methods of treatment and rehabilitation of children with mental disabilities. A researcher found that mental retardation is related to upbringing. Therefore, she created her own approach to raising children.
Initially, the author's technique was intended for babies with developmental problems, and then it began to be used for absolutely healthy children.
Today, authoring is actively practiced in Europe and the USA. But many parents are in no hurry to send their child to Montessori establishments and ask themselves: “Is it worth it?”.
Let's figure it out together with the Internet edition estet-portal.com.
1. Montessori system: what is the main idea of this technique
2. The main advantages of the author's methodology for the early development of children
3. What are the "pitfalls" conceals the Montessori system
Montessori system: what is the main idea of this technique
The author's method of raising kids differs significantly from other existing methods. Its essence lies in the fact that the child himself determines what he wants to do and in what form to conduct the lesson in order to satisfy his cognitive interest and the need for development.
The educator plays a passive role: he does not force the child to complete the curriculum, he only monitors the actions of the child and directs them in the right direction.
The Montessori system is based on the thesis "Help me do it myself!". In other words, its main idea is to teach the child to independently explore the world around him, and in a natural way, without total control and infringement of his freedom.
Classes usually last up to 3 hours. Learning itself takes place through contact with various subjects, and not through communication with the teacher. Also Montessori schools do not have grades or exams.
Children are not tied to one place during the training. They can move freely around the room. As for the workspace, there are no ordinary desks. Maria felt that they interfere with the development of children. Therefore, instead of them, there are small and comfortable children's tables and chairs in the room, which children can drag wherever they want.
And the space itself is divided into 5 main zones:
1. Practical life zone. This corner contributes to development of the child's independence. Here children learn to take care of themselves and the house. They are provided with: buckets, rags, mops, irons, watering cans and other household items that children can use for learning. So, in this zone, kids learn to water the flowerpots, iron their things, do the cleaning, lace up their shoes and do many other household chores.
2. Sensory development zone. Here the main sense organs are trained: sight, hearing, smell, touch. Playing with wooden cubes, cylinders, collapsible towers of various colors and sizes, the child learns to feel the weight, volume and color, as well as compare objects with each other.
3. Mathematics zone. In this zone, with the help of various geometric shapes, counting sticks, beads and other items, the baby learns to add, subtract, divide, and so on.
4. Language zone. Here the child learns letters, forms the first words, and also prepares for writing. To do this, he uses a prefabricated alphabet, a blackboard and pencils.
5. «Space Zone». In this corner, the child gets acquainted with the outside world: he studies the basics of astronomy, physics, botany, zoology, anatomy, geography. It is in this zone that the baby learns to understand his own place in the world.
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The main advantages of the author's methodology for early childhood development
Children who attend a Montessori school are more successful than those who attend a regular school, according to a study published in the journal Science.
After graduating from Montessori Kindergarten, boys and girls were better at reading, counting, and interacting with other children. So Montessori really works.
Among its benefits are the following:
• the baby quickly masters self-care skills;
• the child learns to interact with others correctly: to respect each other, to take care of others, and also not to criticize or offend;
• mental abilities develop faster, and fine motor skills of the hands are trained through sensory perception;
During training, no one stands over the baby and does not control his actions, as a result of which he grows up as a confident and free person. In addition, the child learns to respect the freedom of other people.
• children, starting at an early age, learn to make their own decisions;
• you can find friends in the group, since the team is formed taking into account the personal interests of children;
• the child begins to understand his own "I" and the environment.
What are the "pitfalls" conceals the Montessori system
Despite the fact that this approach to education is successfully practiced in many countries, it has been and is still criticized by psychologists and other professionals who work with children. After all, such an author's development has the other side of the coin.
Its disadvantages include the following:
• The Montessori system develops logic, analytical skills, motor skills and sensory skills well, but leaves creativity unattended. Due to the lack of spontaneous fairy tales, games and poems, the child does not develop fantasy and creativity. But they are necessary in order for him to become a full-fledged and harmonious personality in the future;
• independently mastering the material, the child misses the opportunity to gain valuable experience of interaction and communication with other people;
• the child is not given information about the confrontation between good and evil, which is usually given in fairy tales;
• The Montessori teacher has no authority whatsoever. Therefore, it will be difficult for a child to adapt to a traditional school, where teachers must be respected and obeyed;
• children who are used to being unsupervised may later experience difficulties at school where strict discipline is needed.
Despite the downsides, this method of early development is still relevant. Whether it is worth sending your child to a Montessori kindergarten or school, see for yourself.
If you are still interested in the Montessori system and you want to try it, besides the pluses, consider the minuses.
In addition to visiting a Montessori institution, additionally work with your child at home: play role-playing games with him, read fairy tales to him, give him all kinds of toys, in general, do everything to complement the teaching methodology and contribute to the harmonious development of your child.
Early child development: the pros and cons of developmental activities
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