The Montessori approach presents a curriculum for child learning that is divided into several discovery areas: practical and sensory life, languages and mathematics. The equipment in the classroom encourage a child’s sense of independence by empowering them to correct themselves. In such an environment, the teacher is there to keep an eye on the child to respond to their needs, support them in their initiatives and redirect them if necessary.
In addition, the Montessori environment enables embodied cognition. According to this theory, sensory-motor interactions with our environment boost cognitive development and learning. Another way to express this is; Learning by doing or learning begins at the tips of out fingers. We learn better by interacting physically with the environment. Montessori materials involve all of the senses in a variety of presentations.
Four key areas that Montessorians focus on for excellence in development are:
- Independence
- Coordination
- Concentration
- Order
According to work conducted by Dr. Maria Montessori, six sensative periods of development are catagoried. They are order, language, movement, social & emotional aspects, small object interests, and learning through the senses. Each of these periods takes place during the early childhood years, typically during the first six years of life.
Above all, the main component in Montessori philosophy is that each teacher has a genuine heart to follow through with compassion, guidance and encouragement to meet the child’s needs to enhance their joy of learning.
The mediocre teacher tells.
The good teacher explains.
The superior teacher demonstrates.
The great teacher inspires.
(William A. Ward)