Why Choose a
Montessori School?
Barbara Moffitt
All
parents want the best of everything for their children.
Parents invest a large amount of money from the time the
child is born buying toys to help them learn, develop and
to occupy their time. The Montessori environment is prepared
by trained teachers using educational materials designed
by Dr. Maria Montessori to aid the total development of
children from age two through elementary school.
 Hundreds
of pieces of equipment are available to the children to
teach specific concepts such as sizes, shapes, colors, dimensions,
sounds and numbers. Most parents are not financially able
to duplicate these learning tools, nor are they specially
trained to direct their use. Montessori Schools were originally
created in the early 1900's to provide a safe, nurturing
place where parents could leave their children while they
went to work. Learning starts at birth and Dr. Montessori
realized the importance of starting early to establish inner
values, high morals, good work habits and academic excellence.
Being a medical doctor allowed her the opportunity to observe
young children. She saw their needs and began creating materials
to help them learn. It was her desire to chance the educational
learning process of that day to one which would meet the
individual needs of each person, whereby children could
learn by doing, grow in self-esteem, and progress at their
own pace. Her educational philosophy has been adapted all
over the world with great success. The method has been used
with all socioeconomic levels and children of various cultural
backgrounds who have diversified academic abilities.
Today
with the crisis in education becoming more and more serious,
it is all the more imperative that the Montessori approach
be reexamined.
What
makes Montessori Education Unique?
A specially designed
classroom filled with learning materials planned to enhance
the 5 senses and build the intelligence.- Children learn
by exploring and discovering concepts with "hands-on"
manipulative equipment.
- Teachers trained
with special techniques create a curriculum that meets the
developmental needs of each age level.
- Children work
in a family setting of mixed age grouping, learning responsibility
and respect for each other.
- Individualized
learning allows students to progress at their own pace.
- Positive reinforcement,
support and encouragement is a top priority.
- A strong foundation
of self-esteem is built as the child experiences success
through work.
People sometimes
think that Montessori is affiliated with a particular religion.
It is not. There are thousands of Montessori Private and public
educational programs across the nation. Others think that
the children are free to do whatever they want. Not so. The
children are guided by the teachers using ground rules which
give freedom within limits. The children are taught to respect
their classroom and each other. The objective is always to
teach self-discipline through positive work. Other comments
have been made that say the environment is not structured
or even the opposite, by saying it is too structured. Yes
- there is a specific planned curriculum, but the curriculum
is designed in learning apparatus displayed throughout the
room. Children move freely choosing work. The child is allowed
to explore and discover the concepts built into the materials
and then return the work to its proper place. Lessons are
given as to its use, but creativity is also encouraged so
the the child will learn to think for himself. Montessori
teachers work diligently creating environments and learning
materials that teach and are self-correcting so the child
can learn by himself. Teachers guide the children through
each achievement level so they thoroughly understand before
going on.
 One
will always see children working on different projects in
a Montessori classroom because we believe in the individual
progressing at his own pace and up to his highest potential.
Children are not pushed nor are they held back. The child's
interest is allowed to evolve and he is not limited by time.
Thus, most Montessori children are working at a higher level
of academic achievement and enjoying it because they are experiencing
personal success. children and teachers work together in a
three-year cycle of instruction, which allows them to really
get to know each other - another strong asset of the Montessori
program.
Parents often ask
if their child will be too advanced when he leaves the Montessori
environment. Children who are exposed to more - learn more.
Quite often they are ahead of peers in other programs. Our
objective is to always work on self-control, discipline and
self-esteem. The children learn to solve problems for themselves.
The goal is that they will be able to adjust to any situation
and make the best of it. There are different rules and guidelines
in any social situation and adaptation is a skill that must
be developed. Practical Life experiences give the child responsibility
and help the child gain independence. Our expectations are
high because we know children can learn much more than traditional
programs offer.
 Children
learn to work in a small community of friends. Social graces,
manners and interpersonal relationships are developed through
group activities as well as individual pursuits. They become
a family - learning to share, to care for themselves, each
other, and their world. Montessori gives the child the adventure
of discovery and the joy of accomplishment. Children want
to learn and the future of education depends on our commitment
to providing the very best learning environment. Montessori
offers a solution.
Barbara
Moffitt is the Executive Director of the National Center for
Montessori Education. She served on the N.C.M.E. Board of
Directors for 15 years prior to this. She is the editor of
the Reporter, the quarterly journal for N.C.M.E./Atlanta,
which offers a Montessori teacher certification program for
Early Childhood ages 2 1/2 to 6 years. Barbara Moffitt is
the owner of Country Brook Montessori School in Norcross and
Covered Bridge Montessori in Smyrna, private schools for children
ages 18 months to 12 years (Norcross) and 2 to 12 years (Smyrna).
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