Montessori Classroom

I have a better understanding of the educational term “student’s self center” after researching Montessori method of education developed by Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori.

The central idea of the Montessori system is that all children display within themselves the person they will become. The Montessori classroom provides the environment and materials the child needs for his/her personal development which allows them the freedom to choose their activities according to their own personal interests and readiness in a non-competitive environment.

I love this philosophy because it takes the focus off my son’s test scores  and makes learning fun for him while allowing him to discover the things that interest him most. Those parents having the same idea as me, to foster a love of learning in their child would do well to look into this method of education.

I would like to share  some information I have about how to choose the right Montessori school. First of all you need to understand the classroom where the teacher’s first duty is to watch over the environment, and this takes precedence over all the rest – Maria Montessori. Children will learn through hands-on activity, working on their own at what captures their interest.  Some people might call it play, but it is play that they will learn from.

Teachers will guide each child individually, the goal being to make the child more independent and more able to do things for himself, increasing confidence and self esteem they may carry throughout their life.

Things to look for in a Montessori school:

An environment that is safe for the child to explore freely.

An environment that invites the child to work, learn and explore.

The teachers should be qualified and trained in the Montessori method.

The Montessori classroom allows children to return to the "inner peace" that is a natural part of their personalities.

Be diligent in researching schools. Some claim to be Montessori, but are not.

I’m happy about the Montessori method because I believe finding out about one's self is most important. Learning not just the answer, but how to arrive at the answer . I hope this will be part of my son as he grows up.