Positive discipline aligns well with Montessori philosophy and helps us shift from being reward-based or punitive to being kind and firm at the same time. Children do best when there's encouragement instead of punishment. And yet, oftentimes we get caught in a cycle.
Those of us accustomed to traditional models of education may find the Montessori approach, and the role of the adult in the classroom, somewhat odd or even worrisome. How can we expect our children to learn if the teachers don’t teach?
Have you ever noticed how sensitive young children can be to changes in their routine? Or how quickly young children can absorb the intricacies of language? Or how they progress seamlessly from sitting to crawling, to walking and then running?
Montessori classrooms depend upon a web of mutual respect. This culture of respect is established from the very beginning: from how the classroom is arranged and sized for the children, to how we greet each other at the start of the day, to how the adults refrain from interrupting children’s concentration.
To support a child's development, Montessori programs offer carefully designed sensorial materials that follow a formal, systematic approach. The materials isolate each sensorial quality and offer children what Dr. Maria Montessori called the “keys to the world.”
Consider, as an adult, what it takes for you to do your best work. What must your environment look like? What do you need from others? What constraints do you need removed in order to meet your goals?
So much of what we do in our Montessori environments is with the goal of the child’s independence in mind. They may need our support sometimes, but children are capable of much more than many people realize.
When you visit a Montessori school, you’ll likely hear the phrase “practical life.” We thought it might be helpful to provide a little more context so we can share why practical life is so important to what we do.
Are you considering your childcare options? Learn the distinctions between Montessori schools and daycare centers so you can choose the best option for your family.
The Montessori method teaches math to students in a way that keeps them engaged and helps them grasp its importance. They learn mathematical skills through the five senses in the sensorial section of a Montessori classroom where they acquire their first experience with numbers through shapes.
