There are a thousand and one parenting books out there, all offering different advice on how to raise your children. But how do you know which style to choose?
If you are interested in your child’s education and want them to excel in school, the Montessori method could be the one for you. Studies have shown that Montessori education can improve a child’s chances for academic success.
In this article, we will go through the benefits of Montessori education and how this can facilitate smart kids and their learning. Keep reading to learn more!
What Is Montessori Education?
The Montessori method was first developed at the turn of the 20th century. Dr. Maria Montessori was a scientist who was concerned with children-led activities.
She believed the best way to learn was for children to become more responsible for their ‘work’ and learning. This type of learning style can lead them to become more independent at an early age.
The Montessori method is based on choice. It has a classroom setup that’s quite different from how regular classrooms operate.
Instead of a teacher leading and teaching from the front, the classroom is split into various workstations where the children choose the activity they would like to focus on.
The teacher then moves from group to group, observing the children in their activities. The teacher will guide them when necessary, but the main aim is for the child to arrive at the outcome themselves.
Montessori education also rejects the notion of traditional grading systems and school curriculum. The Montessori method likes to encompass the whole student and not fixate on tests and grades.
It prioritizes the student’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual wellbeing.
The Benefits of Montessori Education
While the Montessori approach isn’t for everyone, smart parents can recognize that this child-led approach to learning can have a positive effect on their children.
Here are some of the reasons why Montessori Education can be an excellent choice for your family.
1. Your Children Can Retain a Sense of Freedom- With Limits
Many children in regular education can often feel trapped or constricted by their student curriculum. There’s no room for discovery or trial and error and the teachers are often only teaching them to prepare for exams.
A recent study highlighted that up to 75% of high school students had a negative opinion of their high school teaching experience. This is a frightening statistic for the next generation.
With the Montessori method, students have the freedom to dictate their own learning and activities. This means they are more likely to feel a sense of freedom in their learning and enjoy school more as a result.
2. Montessori Education Values the Individual Learner
At the heart of Montessori principles, the individual takes precedence. It takes into account that all children learn in different ways and at different speeds.
The framework of Montessori means that children can arrive at learning points when they feel ready and comfortable. Each child can be guided by the teacher and given a specially tailored learning plan to maximize their education.
3. There’s a Community Vibe to the Classroom
Montessori Education usually has a range of ages within the classroom that spans three years. This allows older students to become mentors to the younger students, which in turn teaches them about leadership and being role models.
The younger students also feel supported and welcomed by the older students, which gives them the confidence to pursue their own learning.
4. Montessori Practices Self Care and Emotional Well-Being
Self-care is a term often heard in the workplace, however, it’s not always implemented in a school environment.
However, Montessori education treats emotional well-being as a priority. Self care importance allows students to work on aspects of themselves, not just confined to knowledge.
5. Nurtures Self-reliance and Independence
Everyone wants their children to eventually grow up and become independent. However, traditional school methods often rely on telling students the answers, as opposed to allowing them the chance to discover them for themselves.
Montessori education produces an environment that nurtures independence through classroom activities and how they take responsibility for their own learning.
Students can feel confident in their own autonomy. Which is something that traditional classrooms don’t usually allow.
6. Allows Students to Actively Seek Knowledge
The teachers provide the tools and the environment. The rest is up to the students. They set their own pace and their own questions. It’s up to them to go and find out the answers.
It can create an environment where the students learn to become inquisitive. They develop a sense of curiosity for knowledge and how they can learn.
It can make learning a lot more exciting and rewarding than the traditional school curriculum.
7. Inclusive for Students With Special Needs
Unlike the traditional school curriculum, the Montessori method is designed for students with varying degrees of ability and ages. There’s no concern that any child will fall behind in the learning or classwork, because everyone is learning at their own pace.
Traditional school methods can be incredibly alienating for those with special needs. With Montessori education, the students can feel relaxed knowing that they work at their ability level, without scrutiny.
A Montessori teacher will also have an individualized learning plan for each student, paying close attention to special needs students. They can always offer a guiding hand and recommend learning styles when necessary.
Montessori Education: Is it Right for Your Child?
Montessori education is a child-centered philosophy and learning environment that can be really beneficial to many students. Although it’s viewed as unconventional in comparison to traditional education, its ethos means that the child is always put first.
If you are considering the options for early childhood education for your children, Montessori could be the right fit for your family.
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