The Montessori method is an education model started by Italian educator, Maria Montessori, who believed that children’s learning capacity increases when they are given the chance to do things independently. Its structure features child-led activities conducted in multi-age classes where kids draw learnings from one another.
Still unsure about choosing the Montessori method for your child? Below are the five main benefits this option provides:
Focus on Child’s Individuality
The Montessori method takes into consideration the uniqueness of every child in terms of their learning ability. Therefore, rather than teaching generic lessons to an entire group all at the same time, teachers guide every single student separately, depending on the individualized plan that has been designed for them. Kids are not forced to take tests or perform drills but are encouraged to follow their own leanings as a way to learn and achieve academic milestones.
Based on Developmental Readiness
The Montessori approach will not make small kids read extensive texts or perform long division. Instead, it will focus on the crucial developmental stages that every child goes through. The primary goal of Montessori education is to ensure that children have all the tools and help they need to succeed in every one of those stages. There is great value in academic success, but the same is true for the child’s physical, social and emotional maturity.
Raising Responsible Citizens
In a Montessori classroom, you are likely to find learners of varying ages, with about three-year gaps at most. These classes function as family-like units, where social development among all members, from the youngest to the oldest, is encouraged. The younger kids copy the older kids’ behavior, while the older kids act as mentors or teachers. As they grow up in the classroom, the kids learn a sense of community and responsibility as they shift from being the ones that need help to the ones that provide help.
Autonomous Learning
In every Montessori school, there is a whole load of toys that are particularly designed to bring out and perfect certain skills in every child. A lot of these educational toys are self-correcting as well. For example, small kids practicing small motor skills by buttoning up their shirts will automatically see their boards whether or not they’ve done it correctly. If they haven’t, they can undo and redo until they finally nail it. This gives them the freedom to experiment through trial-and-error and instills the value of hard work and well-earned accomplishment.
Love of Learning
Finally, there is perhaps no advantage of Montessori education as great as the love of learning that it slowly but surely cultivates in young children. By encouraging the kids to listen to their inner voices, interests and curiosity, as well as giving them the freedom to take initiative in the classroom, they become the captains of their own learning ships.