Montessori Method

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Why Montessori

Sombunwit School applies and integrates the Montessori Method to our curriculum, which is significantly emphasized on the importance of preparing the learning environment with hands-on activities to suit the child’s developmental level, while giving the child the freedom to choose his or her interests.  This concept is used to form wisdom towards both planning and self-problem solving in order to cultivate valuable future members of our society.

The Montessori Method, developed by an Italian educator and female physician, Maria Montessori, focuses on learners as the center. She believes that children are capable of self-directed learning. Montessori plays great importance on the abilities of each individual because each child has different potentials and interests.

Montessori Approach divided into 3 learning areas:

1. Practical Life area
2. Sensory area
3. Academic area (Mathematic, Life Experience, Language)

Montessori Theory :

Montessori education is designed to aid the child’s development into a complete adult human being that is comfortable with themselves, society and humanity as a whole. The Montessori approach is focused on giving support to the natural development of a human being. This is done with the understanding that a fully developed human being is exposed to learning things that he or she needs to become an integrated and contributing member of society.

Montessori education begins with the understanding that the role of the adult is to help the
unfolding of the child’s inborn developmental powers. The child, from the earliest moments of
life, is possessed with great constructive energies that guide the formation of their mind and the
coordination of his body. The Montessori approach was developed without preconceived
ideas on how to aid the child in journey to adulthood. Instead the ideas were based
on the observation of children in diverse cultures and countries.

• Respect Child’s Freedom  The Montessori environment gives the children not only the tools they need, but also give them the freedom to use them and manifest their tendencies to repeat, explore, or manipulate.Each child is given the freedom of choice. The child’s interaction with the environment is best developed when it is self-chosen and founded on individual interest, and also when is given the freedom of time. They are free to work with an activity for as long as they choose, free to repeat it as many times as they need, or simply take their time.

• Absorbent Mind  The use of materials is based on the child’s unique aptitude for learning, which Dr. Montessori identified as the “absorbent mind.” In her writings, she frequently compares the young mind to a sponge. It literally absorbs information from the environment. The process is particularly evident when a two year-old learns his native language without formal instruction or without conscious, effort that an adult must would to master a foreign tongue. Acquiring information in this way is a natural and delightful activity for the young child as it employs all of their senses into investigating their surroundings.

• A prepared environment  The most important period of life is the period from birth to the age of six. It is the time when man’s intelligence, his greatest implement, is being formed. Not only his intelligence, but the full control of his psychical powers.  At no other age has the child needed intelligent help, and any obstacle that impedes his creative work will lessen the chance he has of achieving perfection.
• The Importance of The Early Years In a Montessori classroom, the stimulation for learning comes from the total environment. Dr. Montessori always referred to the teacher as a “directress,” and her role differs considerably from that of a traditional teacher. She is, first of all, a very keen observer of the individual interests and needs of each child. Her daily work proceeds from her observations, rather than from a prepared curriculum.

• Self-Learning Montessori education seeks to provide the child with an environment ideally suited to their
  stage of development, which allows them to respond to the inner call of specific ‘sensitivities’,
  and the freedom to act in accordance with their natural behavioral tendencies.The prepared environments enable children to perform various tasks which induce thinking about relationships. The logical, sequential nature of the environment provides orderly structures that guide discovery.

Please visit http://www.absorbentminds.co.uk/acatalog/What_is_Montessori_.html for more detailed.

Source:
1. “What is Montessori Education?” http://www.absorbentminds.co.uk/acatalog/What_is_Montessori_.html
2. Thailand Association of Montessori Schools, http://montessori-assothai.org/montessori_eng.html