Montessori education is very different in both theory and execution from traditional public schools. Instead of a strictly time-based curriculum, it respects the natural and specific development stage of each individual child and is geared to the child's physical ability at that time. The developmental stages are:
- infancy (0-6 years),
- elementary (6-12)
- adolescence (12-18 years)
- maturity (18-24 years.)
Systems of grading are also synchronized to the child's biological development.
The main differences between a Montessori education and the traditional public are:
- Mixed age classrooms.
- The student chooses the activity they wish to complete from a range of options.
- Uninterrupted blocks of work time.
- Students learn concepts from working with materials; there is little direct instruction.
- The student uses specialized Montessori-developed educational materials.
Emphasis is placed on students learning by themselves. They learn to work independently as they progress through challenging tasks at their own pace. The tasks gradually become more difficult, their completion dependent on what the student has already learned. These tasks are designed with a 'control of error,' a mechanism that reveals to the student their mistake, so they can correct mistakes without the help of an adult, and the student learns without any negative in-put.
The student is encouraged to develop a love of learning and to gain satisfaction through completing a challenge. Therefore, the Montessori curriculum is designed to instill self-confidence, initiative, concentration and curiosity and promote the joy of learning.
Montessori education, especially early education, is often described as an 'aid to life.' The students learn in a home-like environment, where they feel comfortable and safe, where everything has been built in proportion to them. Furniture is light and movable, and crockery, glasses, and many other items are breakable. The fragility encourages children to develop motor skills for precision and care, and the occasional breakages provide a real experience of cause and effect. Classes are made up of children of different ages; for example, children aged from 2 to 6 years share the same environment. The mixed age group supports the atmosphere of cooperation rather than competition.
In this environment, they have the opportunity to practice real-life activities. Children practice dressing and undressing, they explore different fastenings in dressing frames, play at real-life cook and waiter and even participate in washing up. The children role-play to understand social situations and discover constructive ways of behavior to give them the confidence to participate socially.
The emphasis on learning correct social behavior extends to learning how to consider and respect others, as well as an awareness of social responsibility. This is supported by peace education, looking at values and ethics, and nature study. Well-rounded development and future success are the targets, in addition to the building of academic ability.
Neuropsychologists are now finding that children learn faster and more easily in a properly prepared Montessori classroom in comparison to traditional settings. Using these unique teaching methods, Montessori students demonstrate a consistently high level of reading comprehension and academic performance.
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The advantages of a Montessori education are well known in promoting creativity, free thinking and productivity later in life. If you live in the Colorado area and are interested and want to find out more , why not contact this Montessori school in Denver http://mchdenver.org/ and arrange a visit where you will be able to find out much more about this leading Montessori elementary school http://mchdenver.org/
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