Montessori education gets children way beyond books and computers, with hands-on activities and child-centered learning choices. This century-old method uniquely prepares children for “the real world” outside the classroom.

 

by Gerald Dlubala

We hear the terms on a daily basis now. “The real world.” “Reality TV.” “Keeping it real.” 

But more than 100 years ago, before “reality-based” anything became introduced into our culture and language, Dr. Maria Montessori was busy developing an educational system that in fact was “keeping it real” for all the children who came into contact with her.

Dr. Montessori created her “prepared environment method of learning” to help children transition into our world environment, which at times is unsettling and anything but prepared. When you are parenting children through their school journey, you may find that the unique advantages of Montessori education are just what you’re looking for.

“Prepared environment” is the key

The Montessori “prepared environment” is designed to enable children to explore, accomplish, and learn through activities and experiences, rather than only through textbooks. Through this prepared environment, students experience practical life, language, math, science, art, and culture.

The other children, the teachers, the physical surroundings, and all the materials in the learning center are part of this learning-friendly environment.

So a Montessori learning center is filled with physical objects—specially designed learning materials that are unique and naturally inviting to the students, and that engage their senses of sight, hearing, and touch. The teacher acts as a guide, directing the children to select materials that will enable them to work purposefully, meeting not only their individual needs but their interests as well. Children who demonstrate interest in the same subjects may work together, regardless of age or developmental level. At times, you may even notice the older children acting as mentors for the younger ones, acquiring responsibility, communicative skills, and an attitude of helpfulness.

Everything is neat and orderly, satisfying the child’s sensitivity for order and detail. And careful attention is paid to beauty as well.

There is, however, no set curriculum or schedule for the children to follow on a daily basis. Instead, a particular child will explore and learn according to wherever his interest and curiosity take him on that particular day, whether that be math, art, science, geography, or any one of the other areas specially prepared for learning.

This child-directed learning (gently guided by an expert Montessori-trained teacher) is based on Dr. Montessori’s insight that children have the ability to learn and acquire skills better at certain times in their lives, depending on where they are in their developmental level. These receptive times, or “Windows of Opportunity,” are as unique as the children are themselves, and have been shown to enhance a child’s ability to absorb and learn.

Hands-on activities lead to deeper learning

Dr. Montessori emphasized that “the hand is the chief teacher” of the child. We've all seen a small child concentrating on some hands-on activity with a determined look on his face. This type of concentration is needed for learning, and concentration has been shown to increase when combined with manual stimulation.

Montessori educators use this type of learning by having the students not only see and hear about a lesson, but also to touch it. For example, students can hold, feel and pass around various shapes while discussing them, or use specially prepared tools to help learn the principles, applications, and concepts of math. They can also trace specially selected geometrical shapes, laying the groundwork for the basic motions of handwriting.

In this type of setting, the students develop many strengths:

• A strong ability to concentrate
• Inner motivation, creativity, and originality
• A successful learning style based on their individual needs
• The ability to occupy themselves
• Engagement in activities for enjoyment and satisfaction, rather than because of peer pressure
• Acceptance of limits, diffusing the need to act out or rebel
• Maturation into well-adjusted and self-confident adolescents

Because of this exceptional groundwork, Montessori students also master the intellectual skills and develop the knowledge that is basic to a successful transition into secondary educational settings. As students, they have already learned how to integrate new concepts, analyze situational data, and think critically.

• These children also tend to develop positive attitudes.
• They value their own self worth, while respecting others’ right to have their own ideas.
• They consider themselves young members of society rather than just students or children.
• They look up to teachers and adults as mentors and guides rather than consider them intrusions that limit their freedom.
• They are spiritually alive and compassionate to the conditions, environment and world around them.

Ready for The Amazing Race to success

Both the American Montessori Society and the Association Montessori Internationale are proud to proclaim that their students, once past the official educational process, go on to successful and fulfilling lives and professional careers, many as entrepreneurs. These future stars also are known to reach out and make positive contributions in their own community through their need to help the world around them.

Dr. Maria Montessori’s educational environment makes sure that once the students make the transition out of the classroom, they are prepared for success:

• They are used to hard work.
• They respect the opinion and creative process of others.
• They are eager to learn and explore new ideas in search of truth or new solutions to common problems.
• They are not afraid of making and learning from mistakes.
• They are self-disciplined, rarely putting themselves in self-destructive situations.
• They meet deadlines, are well prepared and generally well organized.
• They genuinely enjoy people and are comfortable developing new and lasting relationships.

With all these qualities going for Montessori students, it would be safe to say that even Donald Trump wouldn’t be able to resist having one of these young men or women who have been trained in Dr. Montessori’s reality-based education as his new Apprentice. With the Montessori educational system taking the Fear Factor out of these students’ lives, and instilling qualities like character, trustworthiness, dependability, warmth, and compassion, you can be assured that these children are true Survivors in The Real World.

 

A lifelong St. Louis resident, Gerald Dlubala has spent the last 15 years writing about topics including health and wellness, education, family matters, and the wonder, humor, and lessons of everyday life. He has a particular interest in Montessori education.

Photo courtesy of Association Montessori Internationale