I have found that Montessori is suitable for all children. The materials offer opportunities to learn visually, auditory, kinesthetically (through touch) and verbally, and are therefore easily accessible to children learning in different ways. Montessori is “suitable for a wide range of personalities, temperaments and learning styles. Children who are constantly waiting for an adult's direction and those who have difficulty choosing and staying involved in activities may have some initial difficulty moving to a Montessori class, but they usually learn to trust themselves and gradually strengthen their concentration as they meet successful learning experiences and developing independence.
What about children with special needs, sensory processing problems, or conditions such as attention deficit disorder? Some parents have told me that they felt that Montessori was not a good choice for their children with differences in learning or behavior. However, Dr. Lillard said that Montessori preschool centers can work well for those students. But it's essential to have responsive teachers, Dr.
Lillard said, who can help these children understand their needs. Some especially energetic children, for example, may need regular breaks, and good teachers can help students recognize when they need them and what kind of breaks help them the most. Montessori education is good for young children as it allows them to quickly gain a sense of independence and self-confidence. However, it is not clear whether this method of learning for students is better than that of normal schools.
Is Montessori school right for your child? Every child can benefit from a Montessori education. The Montessori approach is adaptable and beneficial to all children, regardless of how they learn. Children with special needs, such as physical or learning disabilities, often thrive in a Montessori environment. Students are free to move around the classroom, which is an advantage for those children who require a lot of physical activity.
Each child learns at their own pace, and there is no pressure to meet formal standards in a predetermined time. After that, you can decide if you want to teach in an authentic Montessori school or if you just want to incorporate some Montessori principles into your teaching. Although the Montessori classroom is set up with many interesting materials, for their first year at Montessori school, a child will not use any of them. The National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector reports that of the 5,000 Montessori schools in the U.
S., only about 10% are authentic Montessori schools. Some researchers have noted that the fidelity of the implementation of the Montessori method is associated with the different outcomes in children5.Montessori believed that children learn better when they choose what they want to learn, and that philosophy is present today in Montessori classrooms. A criticism of Montessori schools is that not all schools follow exactly the educational methods developed by Dr. Maria Montessori.
Some children will only thrive in Montessori schools for their early childhood career, while others may continue to succeed and enjoy this method of learning throughout their educational lives. The Montessori method is not bad, as this development-focused education encourages independence and a love of learning in children. Although each child has different strengths, weaknesses, tastes and interests, the Montessori method was created to serve each type of child at whatever level they are at, both academically and socially. Although the Montessori way of teaching originally came from classrooms in the low-income areas of Rome, today most Montessori schools in the United States are private schools that have a high price associated with enrollment.
Montessori is said to be perfect for all children but not every family may be perfect for Montessori. Hearing about this eye-catching donation and some of the prominent figures educated in a Montessori program may make you want to learn more about what Montessori is and the possible pros and cons of adopting this educational approach. Dr. Lillard compared the academic outcomes of children attending classic Montessori preschool centers, complementing Montessori preschools and more traditional high-quality preschool centers.
Even though there are limits to independence in a Montessori school for the sake of concentration and mutual respect, children will have the greatest opportunity to cultivate what they are supposed to be on their own terms within a Montessori classroom.
