You might have come across a school that calls itself Montessori and thought it’s a school like any other. No it’s not. In fact, Montessori is a method of learning that is emphasized in certain schools. The method of learning is commonly applied among young learners that are between ages 2 and 6 years. Unlike traditional school where learning is only initiated by the teacher, Montessori focuses on creating the conditions that inspire kids to learn through experimenting. Continue reading below to understand what makes Montessori standout from conventional learning methods.
1. Independent Learning
When learners are confined in a traditional classroom, they have to learn as a block because they can only tap knowledge from a single source, the teacher. What this means is that all the learners acquire knowledge at the same time and learning can only take place when the teacher is around. The problem with conventional learning is that it discourages kids to do things on their own. But in Montessori approach, each learner studies something different from his classmates. For instance, one kid could be learning to paint while another could be learning to navigate through the ladders of a pikler triangle.
2. Relieves Teachers from Stress
Any teacher that has ever taught young learners will agree that being in a traditional classroom is hectic. This is because you have to teach without caring whether the learners have grasped your point or not. In such a setting, it’s only the fast learners that progress well. But with Montessori, the teacher only supervises the kids as they learn. Each kid can consult the teacher in case they encounter a problem in the learning process. The other advantage is that learning takes place whether the teacher is present or absent. This is due to the fact that learners are taught to handle the learning materials with care. The materials are also within the reach of kids.
3. Kids Learn at their Own Pace
Since Montessori is child centered, the learner has the privilege of learning at his own pace. This means that the child can take periodic breaks when not in the mood of learning. This freedom gives a child the motivation to keep experimenting. You see, with traditional school, the child has to flow with the pace of the teacher. In such a setting, slow learners tend to perform poorly in tests. The other problem is that learners feel like they are experimenting things for the teacher but not for their own benefit.
4. Hands-on Experience
Montessori learning incorporates physical activities that allow kids to have fun as they acquire skills. As they play around with various toys, they learn things that are never taught in a conventional classroom. The good thing is that the skills sink deeper into their mind because they can hardly forget something they did with their little hands. But in traditional learning, kids tend to more forgetful as they are taught to memorize instead of understanding things. For instance, when you tell a kid that cars are used for transporting people, they will not grasp the concept theoretically because they don’t know how that happens. But when the same kid drives a toy car, he is able to know that a car uses wheels to move around.