Montessori

[Anonymous]

How does the Montessori approach differs from mainstream curriculums?

[Anonymous]

Montessori teacher here....

Montessori:
*Mixed age group (primary is ages 2.5 or 3 to 6. Elementary is ages 7 to 9.) This promotes role modeling of the older children, younger children learning from the older ones, and olders reinforcing their knowledge by working with the youngers.
*Children work according to their own pace/interest. However, it is the job of the Montessori teacher is to "guide" each child towards appropriate, challenging, and new work....so they are constantly learning and
progressing.
*Classroom is a prepared environment and the materials are typically beautiful, hands on, sequential in order of difficulty.

" Practical Life" exercises are prevalent in the classroom. Children pour their own water/juice at snack, work with dressing frames (tying laces, buttons, snaps, zip) so they can be self reliant with dressing themselves, sewing buttons, washing tables/polishing (kids LOVE this!) Also, helps them with organization, sequencing, focus, work ethic, fine motor skills, preparation for pencil grip, crossing the midsection, etc.)

Lots of tactile experiences. Children are learning by muscle memory, their senses.

Classrooms aim for peace, tranquility, respect through "grace & courtesy" lessons.

Mostly individualized lessons, some group.

Creativity, joy of learning are strong components.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much! This helps a lot!

[Anonymous]

Glad I could help. Let me know if you have more questions. I could talk about it for HOURS! =)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Montessori teacher here....

Montessori:
*Mixed age group (primary is ages 2.5 or 3 to 6. Elementary is ages 7 to 9.) This promotes role modeling of the older children, younger children learning from the older ones, and olders reinforcing their knowledge by working with the youngers.
*Children work according to their own pace/interest. However, it is the job of the Montessori teacher is to "guide" each child towards appropriate, challenging, and new work....so they are constantly learning and
progressing.
*Classroom is a prepared environment and the materials are typically beautiful, hands on, sequential in order of difficulty.

" Practical Life" exercises are prevalent in the classroom. Children pour their own water/juice at snack, work with dressing frames (tying laces, buttons, snaps, zip) so they can be self reliant with dressing themselves, sewing buttons, washing tables/polishing (kids LOVE this!) Also, helps them with organization, sequencing, focus, work ethic, fine motor skills, preparation for pencil grip, crossing the midsection, etc.)

Lots of tactile experiences. Children are learning by muscle memory, their senses.

Classrooms aim for peace, tranquility, respect through "grace & courtesy" lessons.

Mostly individualized lessons, some group.

Creativity, joy of learning are strong components.

OTOH, have you considered a more progressive and constructivist approach? Dewey? Piaget? Montessori can be pretty lock-step.

[Anonymous]

Why can it be pretty lock-step?

[Anonymous]

Attended Montessori for PS2 and PS3, absolutely loved the program. We left the Montessori school for a bilingual school, but we plan to go the same route for child #2. Great program!!

[Anonymous]

Montessori teacher here again.

Bottom line is any philosophy is as good as the TEACHER in the classroom. I have also taught progressive and Reggio...and Montessori is my favorite by far.

What does "lock step" mean? Does that mean structured to the point of "no rrom for change and differentiation?"
If this IS what you meant, I disagree. There is a lot of flexibility in Montessori. So many people do not truly understand the philosophy because it is "different" and onsequently misjudge it imo. If I misundersttod the meaning of "lock step" please clarify.

[Anonymous]

(pp here. I meant) "no room" and "consequently" and "misunderstood." Sorry for the typos!