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. Its structure features child-led activities conducted in multi-age classes where kids draw learnings from one another.
Still undecided as to why you should consider sending your child to a Montessori school? Below are the five main benefits this option provides:
Individual Focus
The Montessori method takes into consideration the uniqueness of every child in terms of their learning ability. 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.
Designed According to Developmental Maturity
The Montessori approach will not make small kids read extensive texts or perform long division. Instead, it will take into account the vital developmental stages experienced by every child. The main goal of a Montessori-certified educator is to provide the tools and guidance necessary for these kids to succeed at those stages. While academic success matters, so does every aspect of the child’s maturity, from physical to spiritual.
Raising Responsible Citizens
In a Montessori classroom, you are likely to find learners of varying ages, with about three-year gaps at most. Such classes have a family-like structure, in which social development is encouraged on both ends of the spectrum. Older learners mentor and guide the younger ones, while the younger ones duplicate the behavior of the older learners. Growing up in the classroom develops in each child a sense of community and responsibility as they move from being the ones who are helped to the ones giving help.
Independent 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 gives them the freedom to experiment through trial-and-error and instills the value of hard work and well-earned accomplishment.
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. Because the children are allowed to follow their unique interests and curiosity, and take initiative in the classroom, they become active agents in their own learning.