MARIA MONTESSORI

Dr. Maria Montessori was Italy's first female doctor and psychiatrist. Her philosophy is based on years of observing children in many different environments and cultures.

She came to realise that children have a natural love of learning and that education was an 'aid to life' and must be provided in a secure and harmonious environment. The purpose of a Montessori environment is to lay the foundations for continuing a positive, confident attitude towards learning and developing the skills for co-operation and community activity.

The Montessori approach is child-centred but adult guided, structured but free for learning and emphasises basics in an enjoyable way. Mutual respect, tolerance and concern for others is considered a paramount aspect of the Montessori community.

The Director/ess role is to guide and facilitate rather than teach, and who with the other children as well as the 'didactic materials' provides a complimentary combination to assist the child in his/her development as an active and contributing member of the community. Dr Montessori believed that the environment in which the child grew was fundamental to the child's work in creating the adult he or she would become. She believed that education begins at birth and that the first 6 years of life are the most formative, since during this time the child's power of absorption is highest. In this time values are set, language developed and attitudes and patterns of learning that will last a lifetime are formed. The Montessori method is a world-wide, non-denominational, educational approach. It has proven extremely successful in a wide range of different cultures due to its recognition of universal truths about childhood development and learning.

THE MONTESSORI ENVIRONMENT

There is a special atmosphere of cheerful orderliness, calmness and purposeful work. The Montessori environment provides the children with materials and activities which are especially suited to the child's intellectual, emotional, physical and social needs at each stage of development.

The materials are attractive and stimulating with each piece of equipment:

inviting exploration by its ease of handling
challenging and self correcting, allowing for unlimited repetition
helping the child to acquire precise vocabulary
focusing on a single quality at a time
being able to be used for both simple and complex tasks

The children work and develop within the 'prepared' environment which provides distinctive, easily accessible materials. Each piece of equipment is designed to develop a specific concept. The Directress introduces the children to these materials in a logical sequence.

Under 3's: The environment offers an introduction to the Montessori philosophy for the parent or guardian as well as the child. A small group of children with their parents or carers meet together in an environment set up for the children by a trained Director/ess. Opportunities are provided for language enrichment, motor and sensory development as well as mastering skills of every day tasks which will lead to greater independence. Adults are assisted in creating a positive and harmonious environment for their children both at the centre and at home.

3-6 Years of Age: The children grow to greater independence by moving to a school setting with a Director/ess, the Assistant and a larger group of children. The room is divided into five interconnected areas of activity which allow for self expression, exploration and repetition. These are:

Practical Life Exercises encourage the child's independence, concentration, grace and courtesy, attention to detail and co-ordination through learning to care for oneself, others and the environment. These exercise establish the 'work cycle' in which work is chosen, completed and returned to its place prepared for the use of the next person.

Sensorial Materials awaken the mind to the stimuli received through the senses. By matching and grading sounds, colours, textures and forms, the child develops the detailed and accurate sensory impressions, increases vocabulary and is more easily able to grasp abstract concepts.

The Language Program starts with oral language work, developing vocabulary, sound identification, stories and poetry. The child then uses simple sandpaper letters and the wooden alphabet to develop skills in writing and then later into reading.

The Cultural Area is an extension of the language area incorporating elements of geography, biology, history, art, craft & music.

Number Work focuses on the decimal system and its operation with abstract mathematical concepts emanating from the use and manipulation of concrete representations.

6-12 Years of Age: The Primary years are a period of expansion, consolidation and intellectual growth. Having acquired a sound grasp of the basics, children begin to expand on the above areas by employing their imagination and talent for logical thought to master complex abstract ideas in mathematics, geometry, science, botany, biology, language, history, geography, anthropology, social studies, art, craft, music, drama and physical & sports skills. In Montessori, subjects are not taught in isolation but integrated in all aspects of learning. This is a period when the child moves out into the community to observe the world in which he/she is living.

12-18 Years of Age: The New South Wales Montessori Association is presently investigating the setting up of a Montessori Erdkinder (High School) in the Sydney area to complete the development of the child into the adult in an environment that continues to provide confidant and contributing members of the community and the world. Children are in a room with a 3 year age range providing opportunity for social interplay and learning through observation of others as well as through their own experience. The room is constructed as a total environment to aid the child's development into a socially, academically and emotionally integrated and independent individual.

Graduates of the Montessori environment are well prepared for school situations after Montessori. They are imbued with a love for learning, confidence and enthusiasm with hands on experiences to provide them with the ability to cope with unexpected situations and become self-sustaining learners of the world.

ENROLING YOUR CHILD

Presently New South Wales is able to offer a Montessori environment for children from 18 months to 12 years of age.

To appreciate the value of a Montessori environment it is best to observe a class in action. You can call a Montessori school and make an appointment for an observation. Enrolment forms can be obtained from your local Montessori school. Children may be enrolled from birth and it is advised to do so as soon as possible to ensure a place for your child.

Call the school listed nearest you or the NSW Montessori Association nswma2@bigpond.com