| If you are now at a time when you have the | | | | schools. The Montessori method takes account of |
| unenviable task of choosing a school for your | | | | the needs, talents, gifts, and special individuality of |
| child, it would be wise to look into the Montessori | | | | each child. The children learn at their own pace, so |
| option of schooling. There are so many schools | | | | they are not being constrained nor criticised for |
| out there, whatever age your child, but the | | | | what they do. There is a total freedom to learn |
| Montessori method is unique. In the UK, most | | | | which makes the learning fun. |
| Montessori schools are pre-schools, with some | | | | . All children, whatever their abilities or interests, |
| elementary, but in the US, there are elementary | | | | reach their full potential. All children fit in, including |
| schools as well as some high schools. | | | | children with learning disabilities. Many children learn |
| | | | best in different ways, and the equipment is |
| The founder of the Montessori method of | | | | designed for this. For example, one piece of |
| teaching was a lady called Maria Montessori, the | | | | equipment is the sand alphabet - the letters of |
| first woman in Italy to graduate in medicine from | | | | the alphabet in sand on card. The child traces |
| the University of Rome. She worked with | | | | over the sand letter with her finger, and then |
| mentally retarded children, then served in a | | | | writes the letter on paper. For all subjects there |
| variety of university teaching positions. In 1907, | | | | are items of interest to the child, however he |
| she opened the Casa dei Bambini, where she | | | | learns best. For example, for geography, not only |
| taught children of normal intelligence using her | | | | are there books, but globes, map puzzles, |
| methods from her research in philosophy, child | | | | pictures, and animal figures (sensory items). There |
| development and education. She spent most of | | | | are also regular visits from people, pets, animals, |
| her remaining life writing, lecturing and teaching | | | | and different activities depending on the topic at |
| about her methods. | | | | the time, eg. Chinese cooking, Italian food |
| The benefits of a Montessori education are | | | | sampling. |
| numerous. It is well worth visiting one to | | | | . The equipment available for learning is unique and |
| experience the atmosphere for yourself. The | | | | designed by Maria Montessori. It is exceptionally |
| main goal of Montessori is to provide a stimulating, | | | | good quality equipment, which means the children |
| child oriented environment that children can | | | | value it and treat it with care. |
| explore, touch, and learn without fear. Each child | | | | . In a Montessori environment children are |
| learns at his or her own pace. Teachers are | | | | encouraged to respect and help each other. If |
| understanding and encouraging, so that the child | | | | they choose, they will work with other children, |
| can enjoy learning, and feel happy about her path | | | | and help each other, or 'teach' each other, and |
| and purpose in life. Here are some of the | | | | they enjoy doing so. It is wonderful to watch |
| benefits:- | | | | children who really want to help each other. |
| . Montessori schools teach independence from an | | | | . The environment of a Montessori school is |
| early age. The children take an active part in | | | | peaceful and facilitates learning. Because children |
| running their school, like preparing and serving at | | | | are happy and learning at their own pace, discipline |
| the drinks break, and putting learning equipment | | | | is not an issue. |
| away after they have used it. Practical tasks like | | | | The best way to find what Montessori schools |
| sweeping, polishing, making sandwiches and tying | | | | are available in your area is to look on the Web. It |
| shoe laces, are all available for children to learn on | | | | is not difficult to access lists with names, locations |
| a daily basis. | | | | and contact information. As you can see, it is well |
| . Children are not expected to conform to set | | | | worth considering a Montessori education. |
| standards of achievement as in conventional | | | | |