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