The Montessori method is an approach to education developed by Italian educator, Maria Montessori, who believed that children learn more when left to do things on their own. The system mainly features child-driven activities as well as multi-age classes in which the kids are able to learn from one another.
Still undecided as to why you should consider sending your child to a Montessori school? Here are the five key benefits offered by this option:
Focus on the Child’s Uniqueness
With the Montessori method, the child’s uniqueness as a learner is taken into account. 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. Drills and tests are never imposed on the kids, but they are encouraged to discover their own inclinations as they make their way to one academic conquest after another.
Anchored on Developmental Stages
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. A Montessori-certified educator’s key goal is to equip kids with all the tools and guidance they need to succeed at every stage. There is great value in academic success, but the same is true for the child’s physical, social and emotional maturity.
Rearing Good Citizens
Montessori classrooms include learners of different ages across a span of around three years. The family-like environment in these classrooms promotes social development across the two opposite ends of the spectrum. The younger kids copy the older kids’ behavior, while the older kids act as mentors or teachers. Aging up in the classroom inspires in the children a sense of community and responsibility, maturing from being the ones who require help to the ones helping others.
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. Most of such toys are self-correcting too. 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 made a mistake, they can do the task over and over until they finally get it right. This teaches them the importance of hard work in attaining goals.
Love of Knowledge
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 giving the children the freedom to pursue their interests and curiosity, and also to take initiative in the classroom, they become the teachers of their own education.
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