Practical Life

MONTESSORI’S research shows that children learn through movement and should have environments that are specifically tailored to meet their needs. Montessori schools provide a foundation for learning that is centred on care for the environment, care for the self as individual and

Therefore, young children should be guided through multiple techniques in order to attain independence, self-discipline, and initiative. I believe that by promoting individuality as well as relying on consequences will allow young children to strengthen their independence. Through consequences, young children learn that what we do affects ourselves or peers. Another factor that needs to be considered when strengthening independence would be avoiding unmet needs. As we help young children to understand their own needs we are helping guide them to solving the problem and gaining what they require in order to be successful.

When comparing and contrasting two teaching approaches, it is important to remember that although there is a myriad of different types i.e. Froebel, Montessori, Steiner etc., they all possess similarities and differences. Each individual approach has many fascinating points, however the Montessori and Steiner approach will be discussed in this essay. Montessori’s approach is based on the understanding that children have an inborn capacity to acquire information and to teach themselves when placed in an environment that allows freedom and independence to work at their own pace (Miller, 2010, p.71). Whereas Steiner’s approach is based on the understanding that children learn primarily through imitation and whatever is happening around them from

Students spend most of their time working on the floor where they have their own individual carpets. They put them down to outline their personal workspace. Instead of there being various toys and games spread through out the classroom, there are specific sensory materials and manipulatives that are self correcting and purposeful to student’s learning. On the walls students’ work fill spaces throughout the classroom, similar to the walls of a Head Start classroom. Montessori classrooms are made up of mixed grades and ages, something that is not typical of traditional classrooms.

As children grew up, they must become independents and their parents have to let them go in some way. The road to become independent is tough as when kid grew up to become an adult because they don't know what going to happen and how to handle certain situations. In the article “The Overprotected kid” by Hannah Rosin, the writer describe on how children must need a sensory taste of danger to overcome their fear, which is a way to achieve independence. Another idea, I found from the article is that children in their age need to learn from another.

Ever since we are born we have someone looking over us, someone guiding us, someone telling us what to do. This concept carries into our culture and interweaves itself into every aspect of our lives. Our first steps out into the world on our own, away from our parents, is to go to school. Here we are governed primarily by our teachers, but also by the school administrators. When it comes time to complete our educations and embark, finally, into the real world to be by ourselves, to make our own decisions we are met with are rude awakening. Out here we are faced with the simple reality that we will never be free from someone looking over us. Our government watches us through the eyes of the local law enforcement. Our bosses watch us through our shift managers. Our landlords watch us through routine inspections. It seems we can never escape or truly be

Learning the value of independence is crucial at a young age. It is easier for a young person to correct their behaviors and to make better choices.

In Wood and Robert’s chapter on autonomy they touch on the role autonomy plays in education and intellectual development. Dr. Daniel Pink in his book “Drive” refers to autonomy as one of three traits necessary for true motivation to exist. Not unlike Wood and Robert’s example of the child trying to tie his shoes by himself, Pink views autonomy as something natural to the human state. It is a freedom within bounds and when it is present people are intrinsically motivated.

Maria Montessori founded an education system which is called Montessori and still bares her name, her system is based on belief in the child’s creative potential, (Douglas, n.d.). Her first Casa Dei Bambini (Children’s house), where Maria was using her approach of teaching was opened in 1907 in Rome. She was great educator who believed that children are learning through their personal experience at their right time and their own pace. (Ridgway, 2007). Children rather than learning largely from what the teachers and the textbooks say, learn from “doing”,(Douglas, n.d.). To provide for children an effective, independent learning process, and that they become a competent and confident learner, Teacher had to provide for children a healthy, clean, well-prepared and well organised environment in which children could develop. Maria Montessori came up with idea that if children have to work and play independently, they have to be comfortable and need appropriately sized tools and items that fit their small hands (Mooney, 2000). Montessori believed that children learn through sensory experiences. Teacher has a responsibility to provide wonderful sights, textures, sounds, and smells for children. Sensory

Many people think of it as “controlled chaos” (Kramer, 1976). Montessori resources are divided into four categories: practical life, sensorial, academic and cultural/artistic supplies (Scotty, 2009).

Next is prepared environment. Montessori classroom environment is prepared in every way for optimal development: physically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally.

Montessori believed 2 conditions were necessary for a child's psychic growth to occur. Firstly the child is dependent upon a close relationship with their environment, both the things and the people within it. Secondly, the child needs freedom. Without these conditions being met, the psychic life of a child will not reach its potential and the child's personality will be stunted. In the words of Montessori, for the children who have "met with severe obstacles during this period, deviations of personality may ensue" (Montessori, 1988, p.178).

In reality, the children move about the classroom independently, choosing the order of their learning activities. There may be 15 or more activities, or ?jobs? as they are called in some Montessori classrooms, occurring at the same time with small groups or individual work, yet the classroom remains quiet, yet busy and productive, sometimes with the soft hush of classical music playing in the background. Many Montessori school classrooms place a card around the child?s neck with the day?s objectives written in the form of a checklist for the students to monitor themselves. This checklist encourages the students to take responsibility for their own learning, as well as discourages prompt-dependence, since the student need not wait for instruction. Some of the activities in a Montessori classroom include reading, pre-reading using phonics, math, discovery science and writing. Children learn skills in a way that he or she is not aware that learning is taking place. For example, a child playing in the sand box with a small rake is not aware that he or she is learning fine motor skills and how to hold and control a pencil. Another observation in a Montessori classroom is that most classrooms tend to span three grade levels. This practice allows to children to become mentors to younger students. Also, the large gap in developmental levels allows children to ?learn at their own pace? (Keller, 2001), which is another important Montessori

Watching a small child discover how to operate his or her favorite plaything is awe inspiring. The look of wonder at the item as it's carefully chosen from amongst their belongings and studied ever so carefully for each and every nuance. How that little face lights up with each new discovery no matter how large or small. The sounds of delight an even dismay at an unwanted result are beautiful. Consider an educational system that would continue to utilize a child’s natural curiosity, unyielding ingenuity and thirst for knowledge. Montessori education creates that environment for children by allowing them the freedom to not only gain knowledge in a natural progression, but also provide a basis on which to continue to grow no matter where

Montessori found out that independence is necessary to the child's normal development. The child uses his independence to listen to his inner guide for actions that can be useful to him and one who is served is actually limited in his independence. It is well said that "we habitually serve children; and this is not only an act of servility towards them but it is dangerous, since it tends to suffocate their useful, spontaneous activity." (Course manual P.40).