What the heck is a montessori school???

Question

What the heck is a montessori school???

Answer 1

Montessori (pronounced MON-tuh-SORE-ee) education was founded in 1907 by Dr. Maria Montessori, the first woman in Italy to become a physician. She based her educational methods on scientific observation of children's learning processes. Guided by her discovery that children teach themselves, Dr. Montessori designed a "prepared environment" in which children could freely choose from a number of developmentally appropriate activities. Now, nearly a century after Maria Montessori's first casa dei bambini ("children's house") in Rome, Montessori education is found all over the world, spanning ages from birth to adolescence.

Montessori emphasizes learning through all five senses, not just through listening, watching, or reading. Children in Montessori classes learn at their own, individual pace and according to their own choice of activities from hundreds of possibilities. Learning is an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning. Montessori classes place children in three-year age groups (3-6, 6-9, 9-12, and so on), forming communities in which the older children spontaneously share their knowledge with the younger ones. Montessori represents an entirely different approach to education.

Answer 2

I went to Montessori School when I was younger then did a project on it my senior year.  

It's a different approach to learning, it teaches through all 5 senses and is more specific to each student rather than a class. Children can learn at their own pace, with teachers helping focus on what they need, it works both ways.  If a child is struggling they can take a bit more time getting a concept down right as opposed to having to move on with the class and struggling or they can excel.  If a child is ready for algebra in the 4th grade they then can be pursuing algebra.  

The main difference I've found is its more individual focused that regular schooling, though it still has group activities.  

I personally disagree with the comment that Montessori School kids are troublemakers, its the same with every group of kids from everywhere.  I, and most of the kids I know from it, excelled and ended up being ahead of our classes and ending up with a love, rather than a disdain, for learning.

Its also not soley for "rich" kids, many communties have public Montessori Schools that you take a lottery to get into like a magnet school for the arts.

Answer 3

Not as much structure.  The actions of the children determine what the class will be doing.  I think their views on discipline are different too.

If you have a child that you are thinking of enrolling in one of these schools, I'd spend some time watching classes before I jumped in.  It's not for every one.  But it's great for some kids.

Answer 4

Originally Maria Montresori designed her school curriculums for children who were developmentally disabled and they could wander from area to area because their attention spans weren't huge.

Montresori schools  usually have ' rich' kids in them, who want their kids to be ' creative' and not ' stiffled' by regular school life, like sitting at desks , doing your work etc.  They want them to pursue their interests.  But as we all know there are some kids who would pursue recess all day if given the chance.

They have their place I suppose, but every Montresori child that I heard of while teaching was generally a trouble maker and a pain in the butt to teach.

Sorry but that's how many of my colleagues felt too.

Answer 5

well "montessori" was a man how belived in teaching kids well and not giveing up . montessori school are not really better but some people place there kid in them because they think they will be better teched.

so really the point is montessori was a man (sort of teacher)

love ya