Overview
Have you ever wondered what Montessori is? Many of us have heard the name "Montessori" but do not know what Montessori teaches. For over 100 years the Montessori Method, based on the scientific observations of Maria Montessori, one of the first female physicians in Italy, has universally educated preschoolers in Practical Life Skills, Sensorial Awareness, Language Development, Art, Music, Science, and Mathematics. It is a natural way of learning through modeling, freedom of choice, and self-discovery with the aid of manipulatives and trained guides to facilitate absorbent minds in becoming life-long learners and innovators. Famous Montessorians include author Anne Frank, chef Julia Child, and the founders of Google.
The Montessori Mystery Unveiled website and literature hopes to educate parents and grandparents about the Montessori Method so they can make an informed choice for their preschool aged children.
The Montessori Mystery Unveiled website and literature hopes to educate parents and grandparents about the Montessori Method so they can make an informed choice for their preschool aged children.
Book Excerpts
From the book:
Montessori for You and Your Child
Mary Da Prato
Part I
Background Information
Q: What is the Montessori Method?
A: The Montessori Method was developed by Italian physician Maria Montessori beginning in 1907. 2 Montessori education is a system of schooling that emphasizes the individual child’s development through the use of freely chosen, age appropriate activities. 3
2 Montessori, Maria. The Secret of Childhood. Trans. Barbara B. Carter. Hyderbad: Orient Longman, 2006. Print. Pages 118-124.
3 Ibid. Pages 126-127.
Part II
Montessori Schools Today
Q: How can I be sure that a particular Montessori school and its teachers are qualified to teach my child?
A: Each Montessori school is unique. “Montessori” is a public domain name, meaning that anyone can call themselves a Montessori school. Keep this in mind when choosing a school. Ask about the school’s accreditation. Are they affiliated with a particular Montessori association, such as AMI-USA, or do they follow a more general Montessori philosophy? Also inquire about the training of the teachers. Have they attended an AMI course, an AMS course, have a state teaching license, or a different program? Be aware of schools labeled “Montessori influenced” or “Montessori style.” Schools with these labels may implement some Montessori principles but not all. You may not want to rule these schools out right away, but be sure you have a clear understanding as to which Montessori principles they implement and which ones they do not. Above all, do your research and ask questions of both school staff and parents of former students before choosing a school.
Part III
Montessori and My Child
Q: Does Montessori accept children who are not potty trained?
A: Generally, it is required that children are potty trained prior to attending a Montessori school but each school has its own policies.
Q: Why is my four year old "too old" to attend Montessori?
A: No child is too old to benefit from Montessori education but many Montessori schools do not accept new students over three years of age because it can be a disruption to the curriculum. Since Montessori Primary schools are a three year program, a child who enters at age four will already have missed a third of what the environment has to offer. This creates a strain on the teacher, the child, and other children in the environment. 45
45 Montessori, Maria. The Discovery of the Child. Trans. Mary A. Johnstone. Chennai: Kalakshetra, 2006. Print. Pages 244-245.
Part IV
Inside the Montessori Casa
Q: How long will my child be in the Casa?
A: If a child enters the Casa at the ideal age of two-and-a-half to three, he will remain in the Casa for three to four years with the same teacher.
Part VII
Myths, Misconceptions, and Concerns
Q: What is all this talk I hear about "Normalization?" Does the teacher mean that my child is abnormal?
A: Normalization does not mean that your child is abnormal. Normalization refers to the process in which a child abandons all of his negative behaviors and replaces them with positive behaviors. The behaviors of a normalized child include kindness, patience, helpfulness, empathy, and the ability to choose activities and concentrate without adult interference or guidance. 71
71 Montessori, Maria. The Absorbent Mind. Vol. 1. Oxford: Clio, 2004. Print. The Clio Montessori Ser. Pages 185-186.
Montessori for You and Your Child
Mary Da Prato
Part I
Background Information
Q: What is the Montessori Method?
A: The Montessori Method was developed by Italian physician Maria Montessori beginning in 1907. 2 Montessori education is a system of schooling that emphasizes the individual child’s development through the use of freely chosen, age appropriate activities. 3
2 Montessori, Maria. The Secret of Childhood. Trans. Barbara B. Carter. Hyderbad: Orient Longman, 2006. Print. Pages 118-124.
3 Ibid. Pages 126-127.
Part II
Montessori Schools Today
Q: How can I be sure that a particular Montessori school and its teachers are qualified to teach my child?
A: Each Montessori school is unique. “Montessori” is a public domain name, meaning that anyone can call themselves a Montessori school. Keep this in mind when choosing a school. Ask about the school’s accreditation. Are they affiliated with a particular Montessori association, such as AMI-USA, or do they follow a more general Montessori philosophy? Also inquire about the training of the teachers. Have they attended an AMI course, an AMS course, have a state teaching license, or a different program? Be aware of schools labeled “Montessori influenced” or “Montessori style.” Schools with these labels may implement some Montessori principles but not all. You may not want to rule these schools out right away, but be sure you have a clear understanding as to which Montessori principles they implement and which ones they do not. Above all, do your research and ask questions of both school staff and parents of former students before choosing a school.
Part III
Montessori and My Child
Q: Does Montessori accept children who are not potty trained?
A: Generally, it is required that children are potty trained prior to attending a Montessori school but each school has its own policies.
Q: Why is my four year old "too old" to attend Montessori?
A: No child is too old to benefit from Montessori education but many Montessori schools do not accept new students over three years of age because it can be a disruption to the curriculum. Since Montessori Primary schools are a three year program, a child who enters at age four will already have missed a third of what the environment has to offer. This creates a strain on the teacher, the child, and other children in the environment. 45
45 Montessori, Maria. The Discovery of the Child. Trans. Mary A. Johnstone. Chennai: Kalakshetra, 2006. Print. Pages 244-245.
Part IV
Inside the Montessori Casa
Q: How long will my child be in the Casa?
A: If a child enters the Casa at the ideal age of two-and-a-half to three, he will remain in the Casa for three to four years with the same teacher.
Part VII
Myths, Misconceptions, and Concerns
Q: What is all this talk I hear about "Normalization?" Does the teacher mean that my child is abnormal?
A: Normalization does not mean that your child is abnormal. Normalization refers to the process in which a child abandons all of his negative behaviors and replaces them with positive behaviors. The behaviors of a normalized child include kindness, patience, helpfulness, empathy, and the ability to choose activities and concentrate without adult interference or guidance. 71
71 Montessori, Maria. The Absorbent Mind. Vol. 1. Oxford: Clio, 2004. Print. The Clio Montessori Ser. Pages 185-186.
© copyright 2013 by Mary Da Prato
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise.
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