The Montessori method believes that – as every child is different – there is no “one size fits all” learning approach. Instead, learning should happen naturally, and should be guided by the child. Discover how the Montessori approach can spark your child’s natural desire for learning and personal development!
Children have a natural inner drive and desire to be independent. Let them try new things and challenge themselves.
The Montessori environment is designed to encourage the natural inclination of the child to be independent. Children are encouraged to move about and to explore, and hence, are placed in an environment filled with plenty of opportunities for “real work”.
Within a Montessori classroom, you will find that all the furniture and materials from “real life” are scaled down to suit the child.
From working with the practical life exercises that are designed to teach children life skills, children develop confidence and self-esteem, care and respect, and joy and enthusiasm towards learning.
Characterized by an inner need for consistency and repetition, children look for routines and predictability to feel secure.
The Montessori environment works on consistency and routine work. It meets the child’s need for order by having materials stored in the same place each day, and presenting lessons in an orderly, clear, and precise manner with the child returning the materials in their original form and arrangement after each activity ends. This physical sense of order sets the foundation for higher-level thinking skills such as classification, as well as helping the child order his or her own space, time and emotions.
Children never stop questioning!
Your child has an innate curiosity and inquisitiveness. Investigation, exploration, and understanding are emphasized in the Montessori environment. The materials are designed to be manipulated and handled to encourage deep learning of concepts behind academic skills. Children are given time to think through and absorb, discover, and problem solve on their own rather than being told what to memorize.
Children crave to do things in the “right” way and want to be shown how to do it so they can do it correctly on their own.
Whether it’s the brushing of teeth, buttoning a shirt or placing toys on the shelf, children love imitating and carrying out tasks in the right manner. The Montessori environment actively fosters self-discipline, engaging children in work that interests them.
They receive individualized attention and guidance from the educators, whose role is to encourage and support the natural learning process.
Recognizing your child’s inherent strengths and developmental needs and meeting them in a carefully designed environment produces children who not only achieve academic excellence, but also children whose creative thinking skills and sense of self-direction have been nurtured.
The Montessori way of education might date back to over 100 years, but the philosophy stays the same: to allow children to be children, and have them discover the wonders of the world through their eyes.
This article is brought to you by The children’s house. The children’s house is the pioneer of the Montessori method in Malaysia, and has been the trusted preschool choice for over 10,000 families since 1986.
Visit any of their schools today to discover more on the benefits of the Montessori approach for your child. For more information, visit www.thechildrenshouse.com.my
