Montessori Simplified

Hey, it's good to be with you on your Montessori journey! 

If you're brand new, you might want to head over to Where to Start, first!

To make learning about the philosophy of Montessori a little easier for you, I have been working on a Simplifying Montessori series and I thought I'd gather it all together in one place.





The first essential for the child's development is concentration. It lays the whole basis for his character and social behaviour. He must find out how to concentrate, and for this he needs things to concentrate upon. [Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind, pg 222]



In The Absorbent Mind, Maria Montessori wrote that "normalization is the single most important result of our work," so if this is such a significant aspect of Montessori, how is it achieved? According to the above-mentioned article, normalization appears through the repetition of a three-step cycle. The building of character and the formation of personality that we call normalization come about when children follow this cycle of work.


We must observe the needs of the child, observe how they interact with their environment, observe their behaviors. In observing them, we are able to “provide an environment that is receptive to the needs of the child […] removing obstacles in the environment that deter his normal development.” [Maria Montessori, The Essential Montessori, pg 48]


Maria Montessori observed that children go through three stages of obedience before they can reach self-control, which is seen as perfect obedience. Having an understanding of these three stages can help you to be more respectful of your child and your expectations of them.


Practical life is well described in this primary guide, distinguished by its aim to help the child to "gain control in the coordination of his movement, and help the child to gain independence and adapt to his society."


A child, as Maria Montessori studied, is formed by the environment, and thus orderliness is key. It is through his interactions with, and observations of, the environment that the child develops and refines his psyche and muscular systems.



Tell me what you would like to hear about next!
Just click here and send me a note.
God bless,
Olivia



1 comment:

  1. A Montessori classroom is a thoughtfully designed environment to offer children opportunities to develop their own capabilities. Each classroom is filled with developmentally appropriate activities that encourage children to interact with specific learning materials, as well as to work cooperatively with others. The combination of independent, partner, small-group, and whole-group lessons and activities introduces children to different learning relationships and interpersonal dynamics—valuable skills for their interactions outside the classroom.

    ReplyDelete

09 10