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MONTESSORI
PHILOSOPHY
At
Child's View we follow the philosophy
of Maria Montessori, who developed a method of education that works in
harmony with the child's natural development.
How
Children Learn
Dr.
Montessori found that children's best learning takes place through their
senses and through their physical activity within their environment. She
noticed that the young child’s mind is like a sponge, soaking up all
aspects of the environment. She called this the “absorbent mind.”
Montessori also discovered that the child's learning is further enhanced
through "sensitive periods," in which the child shows an intense
interest in a particular skill or aspect of their development. During such
a period, children develop an increased desire and ability to learn and
develop along the lines of that sensitivity, making the experience easy
and enjoyable.
Maria
Montessori believed that within each child lies a great potential waiting
to be released. She
considered the work of the child to be that of creating the adult s/he
will one day become. Through the Montessori method, children have been able to
attain a higher level of development than previously thought possible, not
only academically, but in all areas of their growth and development.
The
Montessori Classroom
In
the Montessori classroom, care and respect for each other and for the
environment are stressed at all times. The children have the freedom to
move about the classroom, choose activities appropriate to their ability,
explore all the constructive possibilities of their chosen
"work," and visit with other children. Through their
"work," children become what Dr. Montessori called “normalized,”
and develop an inner discipline.
Children
in the Montessori environment are aided in developing independence and a
positive self-image. They are guided in gaining increased learning skills
and in maintaining their natural love of learning.
MONTESSORI
HISTORY
Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator (the first woman in
her country's history to receive a medical degree), began her interest in
education while working with institutionalized children. Through her
efforts, many of these so-called retarded children were able to
successfully pass an examination taken with normal children. While others
were praising her great accomplishments, Maria Montessori was
contemplating why normal children were being taught on such a low level
that they could be equaled in tests of intelligence by retarded children.
She became convinced that "similar methods applied to normal children
would develop or set free their personality in a marvelous and surprising
way."
Dr.
Montessori returned to her studies, devoting her life to this goal.
In 1907, in a slum in San Lorenzo, Italy, the first
"Children's House," Casa dei Bambini, began. As reports of Dr.
Montessori's exceptional children spread, people came from all over the
world to see for themselves. Dr. Montessori continued to further her
observations and began training teachers in her methods.
Montessori classrooms began springing up all over the world, and
with the same “surprising” results as in San Lorenzo.
From
her careful observations and studies, Dr. Montessori developed a method of
education that caused her to be honored and respected throughout the
world. In addition, she was instrumental in changing the conditions and
treatment of children, and has had a tremendous impact on the course of
education as a whole. Her
ideas have gone beyond the Montessori classroom and are seen in all areas
and methods of education.
Dr.
Montessori wrote many books on her methods, and many books have been
written about her. For those parents wishing more information on Dr.
Montessori and her methods, see the Recommended Reading section below.
Recommended
Reading
Briggs,
Dorothy Corkille
Your Child’s Self-Esteem
Cline,
Foster, MD & Fay, Jim
Parenting With Love and Logic. Teaching Children Responsibility.
Coloroso,
Barbara ***
Kids are Worth It
Faber,
Adele and Mazlish, Elaine
How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk,
Liberated Parents Liberated Children - Your Guide to a Happier Family
Siblings Without Rivalry
Hainstock,
Elizabeth G
Teaching Montessori In The Home — The Pre-school Years
Healy,
Jane M.
Endangered Minds. Why Children Don’t Think and What We Can Do
About It.
Lillard, Angeline Stoll
Montessori -- The Science Behind The Genius
Montessori,
Maria ***
The Absorbent Mind
The Secret of Childhood
The Discovery of the Child
From Childhood to Adolescence
The Child In the Family
The Montessori Method
Spontaneous Activity in Education
Education & Peace
Education for a New World
What You Should Know About Your Child
Dr. Montessori’s Own Handbook
The Formation of Man
Polk,
Paula Lillard ***
Montessori: A Modern Approach
Rosenberg, Marshall B., PhD
Raising Children Compassionately
Nonviolent Communication
Standing,
E.M.
Maria Montessori — Her Life & Work
Sunderland, Margot ***
The Science of Parenting
Wolf,
Aline D.
A Parent’s Guide to the Montessori Classroom
Most
of these books are available through the library, or you may check
them
out through the Child’s View Parents’
Library.
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