EDUCATING THE CHILD THE MONTESSORI WAY

The Who, Why and What of the Montessori Method

Denise Chahal

Juzkidz
2012
Copyright Denise Chahal, 2012

Contents
!Introduction !Qualities of being Human !4 Quotients of Human Construction !Intelligent Quotient !Emotional Quotient !Physical Quotient !Spiritual Quotient !The WHO? !Who is Maria Montessori !Maria Montessori and New Education !Maria Montessori and Normalization !Maria Montessori and Society of Cohesion !Self-Construction of the Child ! Similarities
Juzkidz
Copyright Denise Chahal, 2012

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Contents
!The WHY? !Characteristics of the Generations !Challenges we face !Relevance of the Montessori Method !Benefits of the Montessori Method !The What? !What is the Montessori Method of Education about? !Principles of the Montessori Method !Maria Montessori Discoveries !Difference between adult and child !Types of freedom !8 Predetermined Psychic Patterns !Sensitive Periods !Absorbent Mind !Montessori and Physical Development !Montessori and Intellectual Development
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Copyright Denise Chahal, 2012

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Contents
!The What? !Montessori and Emotional Development !Montessori and Social Development !Montessori and Moral Development !Prepared Environment !Montessori Practical Life !Montessori Language !Montessori Sensorial !Montessori Mathematics !Montessori Cultural !Properties of the Montessori Materials !Qualities of an Ideal Montessori Directress !Roles and Responsibilities a Montessori Directress !About the Author !Bibliography
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Copyright Denise Chahal, 2012

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Introduction Have you ever asked yourself

Are we who we are by the type of education that we have received? Is it enough to just develop intellectually? Observing the patterns from the Baby Boomer periods, all the way to Generation X, Y, Z and now Alpha What qualities / traits do we want to see in our future generation? What is the purpose of education? Is education the solution to our problems? How?

What are the outcomes of education? Are there educational methods that develop the child holistically?

Does our education system cater to developing our personalities? And why is it important to develop the personality?

We have heard many times that the educational methods implemented in the schools develop the child holistically? Is that so? Then how is it done?

Who is this book for?

This book is an easy to read book for parents as well as early childhood educators to reflect and evaluate the practices in our schools and homes.

What is the purpose of this book?

The purpose of writing this book is to question the purpose of our education. We have heard too many a times that our schools develop the child holistically but have you ever stop to question how it is done and what really is holistic development. Have you ever stop to look at the childrens work on display? What does it tell you? Research and statistics have repeatedly shown that tuition and enrichment centers all over the world make billions from over-enthusiastic parents. But do our children benefit from it in the long term? Have we forgotten what being a child is all about? Or is learning how to read and write at a young age more important?

What can you expect from this book?

In this book, you will be introduced to the who, what and why of the Montessori Method. 2

Qualities of being Human

What are some of the qualities that makes us human?
optimism education tolerance love freedom trust empathy humility compassion objectivity confidence family creativity intelligence

forgiveness

integrity

morality

playfulness

purpose

persistence

curiosity

resilience 3

The 4 Quotients of Human Construction

We are made up of 4 components: Intellectual, Physical, Emotional and Spiritual quotients. Each of these four quotients have great relevance to life and makes its distinct contribution to life. All these four Quotients are inter-connected and inter-dependent for the Human Construction.
Intellectual Quotient Cognitive abilities;
logic, skills and reasoning

Construction of Human
Emotional Quotient
Management of feelings

Physical Quotient
strength, stamina, coordination

Spiritual Quotient
the quotient that makes us human: to make sense of our emotions, control impulses and the ability to plan

Intellectual Quotient Mind - Vision

Is being intelligent the same as being smart? Answer: No. Intelligence is innate while Smartness is experiential and can be learned. Traditionally Intelligent Quotient has been defined as a uniform cognitive capacity that people are born with and can be measured by IQ tests. But today advance researches have accepted that ones IQ can grow and change according to ones response to conditions and new opportunities. IQ is the ability to reason. It is our capacity to know, understand, analyze, determine cause and effect, abstract thinking, speaking, seeing, thing. The left brain is responsible for the work the word, that is, the language, numbers, math, logical sequence, analysis and evaluation of linear thinking. The right brain deals with images, colors, music, emotion, artistic imagination, creativity and intuition.

Emotional Quotient Heart - Passion

Emotional Quotient is gaining importance today. Studies have shown that Emotional Quotient deals with ones developed ability to deal with both intrapersonal and inter-personal matters. In modern times, stress has become a common illness that leads to many other complicated diseases threatening life. Emotional Quotient has become very necessary for survival today to confront the real conditions of life and respond to them without getting attacked by diseases. Emotional Quotient is self-knowledge, self-awareness, social awareness, empathy and the ability to communicate well with others. The merger of thinking (left brain) and feelings (right brain) must work in synchrony to maintain a balance mental and emotional health. The long-term emotional quotient is a key factor for success in communication, relationships and development of healthy self-image. A person with high Intellectual Quotient but who has low Emotional Quotient, will not know how to build relationships with others.

Physical Quotient Body - Discipline

The Physical Quotient is about the physical body, fitness, wellness, strength, stamina, coordination, overall health, muscles, organs, perseverance, tolerance, determination and control. It is inter-related and dependent on the other 3 quotients. For an example, low levels of physical discomfort may disrupt the persons ability to manage thinking and emotions. When we feel healthy and fit, our mindset and moods change too. Research has shown that good health is related to our self-esteem, confidence level and happiness. Exercise has shown to improve moods and energy levels. Our physical health is inter-related to our neurological development. Movement is intricately connected to intelligence. Good physical and mental health leads to people being more creative, ability to grasp concepts better, positive outlook in life and ability to cope better with difficult situations.

Spiritual Quotient Spirit - Conscience

The Spiritual Quotient helps us to search for the meaning of life and creates who we are. It represents the purest and deepest self of every individual his innermost self. Today, we have understood that the Spiritual Quotient is the most necessary and fundamental backbone to our development. According to surveys and research, modern man finds that there is a void or emptiness in his life in spite of all his efforts to construct walls around him for his own pleasure and safety. Mans quest for inner peace is undergoing new trials. Spiritual intelligence is the central intelligence and the most fundamental, because it is a source of guidance or direction for understanding the purpose of life. Spiritual intelligence is also known as the social intelligence of an individual person and forms the basis of the development of humanity.

The Who? Maria Montessori

About Maria Montessori - Founder of the Montessori method - Born: Aug 31, 1870 in Italy - Died: May 6, 1952 in Netherlands - Even as a child, Maria Montessori was strong willed and curious. She made her own decisions no matter what the consequence might have been.

Family - The only child to Renilde and Alessandro Montessori. - Mother: Renilde Montessori was supportive of her daughter's education and career. Renilde was also an educated woman and encouraged her daughter to excel. - Father: Alessandro Montessori was a conservative military man. He was against Maria Montessori decision to study medicine, however allowed her to do so.

Educational background - Pursued a medical education - Had to endure the remarks and unfair treatment of her fellow classmates and teachers. - Graduated and became the first woman Physician in Italy

The Who? Maria Montessori

Career - Embarked on a successful career as a physician, scholar, research scientist, and advocated on the Rights of Women. - While working and researching at the psychiatric clinic of the University of Rome, she came in contact with "feeble minded" children in the asylums. - It was while working with the children and observing their achievements in exams, she realized that if given proper guidance and environment, normal children can also learn. - This gave rise to her interest in education, which became her life's work. - Thus when presented with an opportunity by the Italian Ministry of Education in 1907, she began her work as a Medical Director for a day care known as at Casa dei Bambini, a center organized for working class children who were too young to attend public school. - It was at Casa dei Bambini that she made her discoveries about children and their environment. - The Montessori Method of Education was born. Influences - Jean-Marc-Gaspard Itard and the "Wild boy of Aveyron" - Edouard Seguin: didactic materials - John Amos Comenius: Timetable for growth and learning as well as learning is best achieved when sense are involved - John Locke: Education of the senses - Jean Jacques Rousseau: Emphasized on the process of learning and the role of the Educator - Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi: Social progress could be attained through a new method of teaching and that all thinking starts with accurate observation of concrete objects. - Friedrich Froebel: Learning is what children do and not what is done to them as well as focused on children's experience of the real world.

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The Who? Maria Montessori

Maria Montessori and New Education
New Education is about education as the means to solve problems. It guides and prepares the child for the real world. It creates a personality that has a strong and positive mindset and attitude towards life. It is not just about educating the mind but it is about educating the soul and developing the personality to create a humble, independent, responsible, confident and intellectual being. It is important to start as early as possible in the preschool years. We need to focus our energies on children. The Montessori Method is based on scientific approach to observe children and develop learning experiences to meet their needs. It helps them to develop into humble beings who know their roles and responsibilities in the world. Thus the education that we provide to the children should Allow the child to interact with the materials to create his own personality Focus on the child Follow the childs pace 11

The Who? Maria Montessori

Normalization
Normalization occurs when the child is in harmony with his environment and himself. The childs physical energy is one with his mental energy. He has developed self-control and the power of will. The child is calm, confident, comfortable and at peace. The process of normalization does not occur overnight instead it is the continuous interaction with the prepared environment and role models over years that the child is normalized. Characteristics of normalized children: Love to work Has good mental order Ability to concentrate Has a good sense of imagination and creativity Appreciates silence Able to make choices Is disciplined and has self-control Obedient Independent and responsible Takes initiative Happy and positive 12

The Who? Maria Montessori

Society of Cohesion
Also known as development of community life Living in harmony with each other Achieved through the process of normalization When the child is in harmony with himself and his surroundings He has good social skills and is courteous He has control over his actions He is disciplined and does things because he enjoys it Characteristics of a Society of Cohesion: Respect for the right of others Reciprocal help Moral help Harmonious Co-operative Self discipline Obedience Social sentiment Character 13

The Who? Maria Montessori

Self-Construction of the Child

8 Predetermined Psychic Pattern

External Aids: Prepared Environment, Role Models and Freedom Internal Aids: Sensitive Periods and Absorbent Mind

Self construction of child

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Similarities between the 4 Quotients of Human Construction and Maria Montessoris Self Construction of the child
Similarities
Emphasize the importance of all components to work in synchrony to develop the WHOLE CHILD Agree that Intelligence is crucial but also place importance on developing the personality of the child Works towards making the child an independent being who is socially responsible

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The Why? The Montessori Method of Education

Characteristics of the Baby boomers, Generation X, Generation Y, Generation Z and Generation Alpha periods

Baby boomers
Born during 1946 - 1964 Workcentric Independent Loyal Obedient Learns by doing Communication is critical Goal oriented Competitive

Generation X
1965 1980 Independent (Latchkey children) Problem solvers Reality driven Skeptical of Authority

Communication is critical Loves clear instructions Focus on relationships Technology competent

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The Why? The Montessori Method of Education

Generation Y !
1980 1995 Optimistic and confident Sheltered Not brand loyal Flexible Good morals and a sense of civic duty Better acceptance of authority Pressured about grades Expect technology Racially and ethnically diverse Communication is important

Generation Z!
1995 2009 Does not know life without technology Like instant action Means of communication is mainly through online Rather stay indoors Leads a sedentary life Highly creative and collaborative Adept at multi-tasking May not perform well in public speaking Decline of traditional social graces Mistrust in prevailing political systems Concern about terrorism and the environment Erosion of childhood Focus on achievement and outcome

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The Why? The Montessori Method of Education

So what do you think will be the traits of our future generation Generation Alpha?
Intelligent and aware of what is happening in the world From wealthier families and have fewer siblings can be considered materialistic Children of older parents and smaller families Well versed with technology Curious and will question authority Begin schooling earlier erosion of childhood

Exposed to media and new cultural and social norms

2010 - 2025

Generation ALPHA

?
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The Why? The Montessori Method of Education

Challenges We Face
Effects of globalization! Disconnection between child and nature Due to the constant flow and easy access to information, students are prone to look for quick answers rather than work towards solving the problem on their own. Unclear definition of what constitutes a family and a relationship Mannerisms Social, Grace and Courtesy Lots of friends online / virtual but may have poor interpersonal skills Sedentary lifestyle and high risk of obesity Challenges of socialization and values around sharing May be too sheltered by parents Materialistic

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The Why? The Montessori Method of Education

Relevance of the Montessori Method in current times

To guide in developing a responsible and humble citizen of the world

To develop the bond and affinity between the child and nature

Develop a being who enjoys the process of exploring, discovering, questioning and learning

To develop thinking beings

To develop beings who have confidence and a healthy self-image

Beings who will be able to solve problems and live in harmony with their neighbours

Beings who will love and appreciate what they have

To develop beings who have the ability to recognize potentials and respect all as individuals

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The Why? The Montessori Method of Education

Benefits of this Method
Focuses on personal development that creates children who are more mature, creative and socially adept It discourages the traditional method of teaching and focuses on individual learning Develops children love for learning and discovery

Free from competition and pressure

Children learn to collaborate and work as good team players

Develop a greater sense of community life

To prepare children for the real world

Develop independent children

Emphasis on concrete learning which to progresses abstract.

Child-centered environment

Adults role is to observe, guide and prepare the environment

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