Considering the Montessori Method for Your Child

If you find yourself contemplating early childhood education for your little one, you may already be aware of the traditional and non-traditional forms of teaching methods adopted by the preschools and kindergartens. Additionally, you'll come to learn educators tend to vary their teaching methods to cater to learning styles that tend to differ from one child to another. While some children prefer instructional or written assignments, some may prefer the lessons to be aided with more visuals or hands-on materials. Here is how the Montessori Method foregrounds the foundations of your child's interest and ability to learn: Image credit: Motherhood Story You may be more familiar with the traditional form of learning which in often cases, look like this: The classroom is teacher-centric. The teacher is responsible for delivering lessons, instructions and allocating materials with specified due dates. The class of children is listening attentively. The educator and students are facing one another, with the latter in assigned seats and awaiting their turns to speak. There are rules, regulations, and uniforms to wear for formality and disciplinary purposes. A traditional classroom comes with a set of limits because of its standardised lesson plans, study materials, and activities. Students are also segregated according to their age groups. The Montessori Method is a fun alternative to more efficiently cater to your child's respective learning needs! “The hand is the instrument of intelligence. The child needs to manipulate objects and to gain experience by touching and handling. ” —The 1946 London Lectures, Dr. Maria Montessori It places sole respect onto the child by allowing them to learn lessons on their own terms. They are placed in carefully structured environments, specially tailored to stimulate their five senses: Touch, smell, hearing, taste, and sight. Why consider Montessori education for your little one? The most conducive environment for any developing child will always provide ample space and a sense of security to the child. Your child will feel safe and confident navigating through their surrounding activities. The Montessori way will allow them to take charge, move about, and carry out any activity in their own time, space, and preference—all within a warm, nurturing environment. Child-Centric Lessons Lets Your Child Lead the Way Image Credit: Canva The Montessori method revolves around the notion of student autonomy and personalised learning needs. Of course, within facilitated means. It accommodates your child's individualistic needs and interests by letting them decide on which mode of instruments and materials works best for them. For every lesson planned, every child is provided with a set of choices and apparatus in order to explore the lesson of the day. In an environment where your child will in no way be coerced to learn or speak to others, they are left to their own thoughts to decide on how they wish to complete their assigned tasks. This allows every prescribed activity to be child-led. These activities incorporate your child's favourite instruments or basic interests; be it through toy cars, favourite colours, hands-on textured materials, and puzzles, or even musical instruments. They are essentially assigned according to your child's own terms and their level of development. These tasks increase in complexity proportionate to your child's intellect and dexterity. While traditional classrooms find the teacher by the whiteboard, the Montessori method has the teacher facilitating a lesson your child is teaching themselves. Socialising the Montessori Way Image Credit: Canva A flexible curriculum also means a mixed-aged classroom and freedom of movement! Sometimes your child wishes to stroll over to exchange opinions with other groups of children. Or, they may want to remain in their seat to solve the puzzle on their own accord. Some may be enthusiastic people-persons, while others are simply introverted. Regardless, the Montessori method will address these individualistic traits to better facilitate your child's unique set of interpersonal skills and desired learning outcomes. A key trait to a conducive Montessori environment is the unmistakable air of serenity that will calm your little one's nerves. Not to mention, it is also a setting that exposes them to those more articulate or intellectually advanced. This does not necessarily mean your child is supposed to feel pressured in order to catch up with the older kids. Instead, the idea is for the older, more nuanced, children to take on mentoring roles to help the younger ones! They are left to their own devices and time should they wish to drop a hello or inquire for help from their classmates. There really is no assertion in doing anything your child might find uncomfortable! Socially or academically. A More Vibrant Learning Environment Image Credit: Zaahara The nature of a Montessori class in-session may often look like this: There is an array of colourful workstations To allocate ample choices for the different modes of learning your child may gravitate towards. This includes role-playing, arts and craft, science exploration, shapes and space, and a list of many more. There's a lot of aesthetically pleasing space! As you take a look around, the learning space is filled with splendid natural light and vibrant shades of colours. Every play toy and learning material is organised neatly in their specific drawers, corners, workstations, and shelves. A unique collection of educational materials! Montessori lessons rely heavily on hands-on activities, such as movable alphabets, thermic tiles (on heat conduction), magnetic labeling maps, counting beads, shape-shifting color-coordinated blocks, and many more. A Montessori classroom will definitely be conducive to your child, in spite of their learning needs! Regardless if they are eager to or able to whizz from one equation to another, your child will be in a beautifully lit environment that will regularly complement their needs. A Montessori Guide to Staying at Home: Image credit: Canva There are plenty of guides by experts vouching for the Montessori method as a progressive form of parenting at home and child-raising. Prior to enrollment, conduct a trial run with your child with the Montessori method of learning to see if it holds their interest. Here's where to begin: Reorganise your living environment. This includes designating compartments, spots, and drawers for specific items. Enlighten your child on the use of the different sorts of items around the house. This goes from toys to books or food ingredients to kitchen utensils! Teach them where different items ought to belong, and why they should be stored or handled a certain way. Allow them to focus. Work to reduce your tendency to interrupt their train of thoughts as they are in the middle of a task. Try to hold your verbal corrections to when absolutely necessary as your child ruminates over the right mathematical equations and contemplates their decisions. Remember, you are now the facilitating teacher! Purchase or use scaled furniture. Your child indulges in surreal role-playing games through the use of scaled furniture which aids their imagination and learning process! With the compartments and utilities scaled down, your child will be able to make the most out of their surrounding. The toy cash register may be placed along with the kitchen setup, measured down to complement the little one's height and petite size. Needless to say, you can practice the Montessori method in your day-to-day activities with your children. All it takes is a touch of creativity and innovation! But of course... There is only a limited number of people in this world who are most reliable in deciding what mode of learning works best for your child—you and your spouse! Aside from a certified professional, of course. Take your time to get to know your child's preferred way of learning new experiences. And last but not least, don't shy away from sharing with us your Montessori journey by tagging us on Instagram! For more insightful stories and fun recipes, stay tuned to Motherhood Story!

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