Montessori learning is a philosophy of learning, as opposed to a set of learning techniques. Learn more about this philosophy, principles and methods of Montessori learning in this article.
What is Montessori learning?
The method places a heavy emphasis on learning through play, rather than learning rules and learning how to learn.
In the Montessori learning process children are more curious than other children and they are required to take breaks and be active participants in the learning process rather than just passive observers.
It is not linear. Instead, the understanding happens in chunks. Each learning opportunity is preceded by a period of exploration, experimentation, and testing that leads to a new concept or concept comprehension. The Montessori method teaches children to pay more attention to detail and to the processes that lead them to learn by taking the time to really understand the concepts they are studying (i.e. the "how" instead of the "what").
4 Montessori Learning Secrets
Here are 4 Montessori secrets that will help you and your children become more successful at learning and retaining information.
- Encourage children to play outside. Montessori schools have a number of activities that encourage outdoor play, whether children want to hike or bike, swim, or play ball. When children are outside, it's important to give them opportunities to engage with each other, the environment, and the people they come into contact with. Encourage children to play outside by setting up a tent, a blanket, a table, or a chair near a creek or river. Then, have children run around these items while you talk or read a story.
- Allow children to ask questions. Montessori children have a natural curiosity about everything. This is a good thing because it means they are inquisitive. Encourage children to ask questions by asking, "What?" "Why?" and "How?". When children are allowed to ask questions, they can ask a lot -- questions about everything from the furniture in the room to the color of the sky. They can even ask you questions about their feelings. If they ask questions, listen to them, and take the time to understand what they're asking. Then, answer the question based on the child's question.
- Encourage children to write. Montessori kids have a natural interest in writing. This can be a good thing, because it means they are motivated to learn and interested in completing assignments. Encourage children to write by having them write a letter, a word problem, or a story. Then, ask them to send these letters, stories, or assignments to someone they know. Encourage them to write about what they like about their current home, family, or surroundings. This can help them develop empathy and understanding for the people they see around them.
- Ask children to share their ideas. In this way, children are empowered to be self-directed and independent learners.
In this way, the Montessori learning process allows your child to become successful in school. The Montessori learning process is based on the idea that children should learn through play, and that children should be able to develop their natural abilities without being over-taught.
3 Learning Montessori principles
Here are three Montessori principles to help you create a learning environment that fosters your child’s natural curiosity and self-expression.
- Encourage independent learning. The philoshophy places a lot of emphasis on children developing their own learning process, and parents are often involved in the child’s learning.This independent and self-directed learning allows Montessori children to become independent thinkers and independent students. In this way, it fosters self-expression and creativity.
- Encourage reading and math skills. Montessori encourages children to read extensively, and then to use their newly-learned skills in school to learn new skills -- such as reading finance, math, or science.
- Encourages social and emotional development. The Montessori learning Method places a lot of emphasis on the child’s development and socialization skills.
The child can hear, see, touch, smell, and see what is happening right in front of them. They can also understand what is happening by understanding their own sensory input.
