Do You Know About Montessori Education?

After I became a mother, I tried to learn about different ways of teaching. I am not a professional educator but I really care about my kid's ability to learn and have fun at the same time.

How Montessori Education Started?

A woman by name Maria Montessori was the first female Doctor to graduate from the University of Rome.

She first became world renowned for her work in children's education after developing a set of educational principles that followed the natural development of the child.

From her earliest experiences of working with children, Montessori came to develop theories about the development of the child, and how they learned.

She then applied these theories in an educational setting, and observed how children reacted when provided with different stimulus.

Especially relevant to Montessori's observations, was how keenly children absorbed information from their environment.

She discovered that given developmentally appropriate materials, and the freedom to follow their interests, that children would teach themselves.

Crucial to Montessori's ideas, was a child-centred approach to education that was hands on, experience based, and followed the needs of the child.

Montessori took more than 50 years to refined her observations and theories and form the principles and practices of what is today known as the Montessori education.

Facts About Montessori Education

Montessori education offers children opportunities to develop their potential as they step out into the world as engaged, competent, responsible, and respectful citizens with an understanding and appreciation that learning is for life.

These are some highlights about the method: 

1. Each child is valued as a unique individual. The method recognizes that children learn in different ways, and accommodates all learning styles. They are also free to learn at their own pace.
2. Beginning at an early age, they develop order, coordination, concentration, and independence. Materials and daily routines support the individual’s emerging “self-regulation” (the ability to educate oneself, and to think about what one is learning). This can be taught to toddlers through adolescents.
3. They enjoy freedom with limits. Working freely but parameters, they are active participants in deciding what their focus of learning will be. Montessorians understand that internal satisfaction drives the child’s curiosity and interest and results in joyous learning that is sustainable over a lifetime.
4. Self-correction and self-assessment are an integral part of the Montessori approach. As they mature, they learn to look critically at their work, and become adept at recognizing, correcting, and learning from their errors.
5. Children are given the freedom and support to question. Since they are free to probe deeply and make connections, Montessori kids become confident, enthusiastic, self-directed learners. They are able to think critically, work collaboratively, and act boldly.  

So, what can we, mothers, do to reinforce Montessori teachings at home?

• We can limit toy choices and provide open shelves (instead of toy boxes where toys are heaped in a pile) at your child’s eye level allows her to see all of her choices and return objects to their correct places. 
• Sort smaller items, such as puzzles, art supplies, and blocks by category into trays or baskets to make them easily accessible for play and for your children to put away.
• Keep extra toys in storage to be swapped out when you observe your child growing tired or bored of the items currently available. This will keep her interested in playing with new and familiar favorites, and ensure a space that is not only neat and tidy, but also highly valued and cared for.

Help a special kiddo in your life rediscover the joy putting aside electronic technology for a while and creating their own one-of-a kind toy today!

Add some wooden Montessori toys to your kiddo’s toy collection, so they can learn while they play!

KiddoMood will be offering a variety of Montessori Educational Toys very soon! Stay tune!