Montessori
A Teachers Role
The role of the “teacher” in a Montessori classroom is quite different from that which is expected in a more traditional educational setting. Rather than teaching “at” the child, the teacher acts as a facilitator, guiding the child to materials best suited to meet his or her current interests and stage of development.
The teacher supports this type of learning by preparing and introducing materials which invite the child’s natural curiosity and innate need to learn more about the world around him. The Montessori teacher leads the children to ask questions, think for themselves, explore, investigate, and discover. By close observation and note taking, the teacher can determine when a child is ready to learn a new concept and whether it would best be done through an individual or a small group lesson.
The teacher creates an environment of trust and support through lessons in grace, courtesy, and manners in order to prepare the children for their role as citizens of the world. “Please”, “Thank you”, and “May I” are frequently heard throughout the day in a Montessori classroom.
A Prepared Environment
The Montessori classroom is a carefully prepared environment designed specifically with the child’s development in mind. Low shelves, small tables and chairs, and a plethora of Montessori materials are designed to facilitate the child’s move to independence as well as instilling a sense of empowerment and self-esteem within the child. Rather than “playing with toys”, children “work with lessons”, freely chosen, and done in a manner that is both purposeful and necessary in order for the children to feel mastery of the world around them.
Respect and Order
Montessori children are taught early to respect both the environment of the classroom and all things found within it. Children learn the importance of approaching others politely and asking to join others in activities. The teacher models how to use the materials in an appropriate and purposeful manner using care to replace them in their proper place on the shelf. This adds to the sense of order in the classroom as children know exactly where to find the materials with which they wish to work. Order and sequencing are also an intrinsic part of how the materials are used.
Autonomy and Creativity
Creativity abounds in the Montessori classroom. Given freedom of choice, children are able to try new activities without fear of reprimand or competition from others. The self-correcting materials allow the child to discover errors on his/her own and correct them without assistance from the teacher. Many of the materials offer multiple methods of exploration allowing the child to think creatively while learning fundamental skills necessary for further educational endeavors.
Montessori Materials
The Montessori materials are the central focus of the Montessori classroom and curriculum. Children enjoy holding the beautiful pieces and manipulating them in ways that are logical and meaningful. Teachers are always present and available to demonstrate the names of the material and strategies to manipulate pieces to form logical connections, but they do not interrupt children as they work. Instead, teachers present materials, assist children in working with them, then observe and take notes on how children proceed. Most of the materials are self correcting, so if a child is not manipulating the materials toward logical sequencing and productive outcomes, the child is able to make adjustments. Nevertheless, when teachers observe that a child is having some difficulty, they designate another opportunity to work with the child and the materials. Each set of Montessori materials is designed to enhance children’s ability to see logical and meaningful relationships that lead to abstract conceptualization. Activities combine subjects to emphasize that children do not experience life as discreet entities; rather, they learn that life is comprised of integrated skills and understandings. The majority of these didactic materials are designed specifically for the Montessori classroom and are rarely present in more traditional settings.
Book a Tour
We invite prospective parents to come by Baldwin Oaks Academy to tour our facility and meet our staff. We offer tours on Monday – Thursday between the times of 9:00 a.m.-11 a.m. This will give you an opportunity to observe all classrooms actively engaged in the Montessori curriculum, from Toddler to Primary.