What makes Montessori education different from traditional classes?

Dr. Maria Montessori, the founder of Montessori child development and education, felt that children thrive in a quiet, orderly, and natural environment. Her ideas, which are almost a century old, are still relevant in child development. It is critical for young people to be able to freely explore and participate in learning and understanding about the world around them.

To start with, let the classroom be such designed where they do not always have to sit on the chairs but can roam around freely.

For those looking for homeschool Montessori training, here are the top five foundational principles of the system that will give you a better recognition of the idea -

•    Mixed-age classrooms

Montessori classrooms typically include a mixed range of kids. There are students of mixed ages and mixed skill-levels. They are usually categorized into three year groups (such as 3-6 year olds, 6-9 year olds and so on). Peer learning is one of the most encouraging procedures where the little ones observe their older friends and try to learn. This is also one of the valuable leadership skills which the children start learning from a tender age.

Although the most common Montessori schools are for younger children, there are Montessori middle and high schools as well.

•    Experiential learning

Children in Montessori schools are given the notion that they are learning on their own. Specially created materials are available to assist them in grasping the fundamentals of the disciplines. For example, rather than memorising math concepts, the children are given real things to assist them in counting (adding or subtracting). Also, there are sets of wooden letters called the movable alphabet to learn to read and write. It is Maria Montessori's observation that children pick up better when they move and learn instead of sitting and listening to a teacher.

•    Uninterrupted work period

There are extensive, uninterrupted work periods at a Montessori classroom (which typically go on for 2-3 hours depending on age). Rather than having a set amount of time for each subject (such as 30 minutes for language or 40 minutes for math), students have a long morning work hour in one classroom that covers all disciplines. This long time not just helps keeping the children engaged with the materials but also in develops their concentration.

•    Academics

Apart from the regular subjects such as math, science, language, Montessori schools also has two academic areas - practical life and sensorial. The practical life consists of exercises to help children understand and learn the everyday skills. For young children, there are some simple activities such as pouring water carefully, tying their shoes, or cleaning up the table where they played. For older children, there is simple budgeting or gardening exercises.#

Experienced Montessori tutors are also aware of sensorial education that is about educating kids of the senses. Montessori believed that children can learn better through their senses. So, there are specifically designed materials that help them refine their sense of hearing, smell, observing and likewise.

•    Role of the teacher

A Montessori teacher is also called a guide, rather than a teacher. This makes him or her closer to the students and reflects her non-traditional role.

A Montessori teacher's main responsibility is to watch the children and introduce them to various academic materials as they progress. She usually works with a child one-on-one, rather than in a regular classroom setting. The teacher's duty is viewed as giving pupils with learning tools rather than instilling facts and knowledge in them.