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Discuss The Life and Works of DR - Maria Montessori and Why Is She Referred To As A Lady Much Ahead of Her Time?
Discuss The Life and Works of DR - Maria Montessori and Why Is She Referred To As A Lady Much Ahead of Her Time?
Although Maria’s father was very conservative military man but her mother was a very liberal lady and
the frequent transfers of her father gave her the opportunity to study in different environments and
schools. This effects on her nature as well therefore after graduating Maria was not willing to purse her
career in Education as she was not a typical conservative women. She was a lady who brought a huge
change in the field of Education.
Maria got a lot of exposure because of the transfers of her father, where she got a chance to learn in the
best institutes of Europe and this also leads to expand her vision as well. This is the reason when Maria
completed her graduation she was looking for something that was different not traditional.
In 1900, when Maria was appointed as the Director of the new Orthophrenic School attached to
University of Rome, it was basically an asylum for mentally retarded kids. At that time Maria with the
help of her colleagues started a reform program for those kids. She concluded that those kids need
meaning full activities.
She started to use the approach of Seguin and collected her notes at each and every step. The use of the
scientific methods on the kids gradually made them independent. As Maria got recognition with her
work with mentally disabled kids she thought of applying the same methods to the normal kids.
Although she was recognized and honored at every step but she got her first opportunity to apply these
methods on normal kids for the first time in 1907, when she was appointed as the medical director of a
daycare center Casa dei Bambini. The children over there were coming from the working class and were
exposed to extreme poverty condition s , they were destructive, irritable and annoyed. Maria
Montessori introduced them different activities that made them disciplined and self reliant. The elder
children not only started taking care of themselves but also started assisting the teachers as well. The
small brains got a direction to work, their thrust was great and so did Maria Montessori `s work. She
designed and designed the new materials for them so they started to learn reading and also used the
mathematical materials as well. She discovered that the kids were not interested in playing with the toys
anymore they were more demanding they needed some practical learning , Maria believed that to deny
the kids the right to learn is a crime .
The methods she used were developed and redeveloped after a great number of research and effort .
She put her life time to work for the betterment of the kids , the research has shown that the kids who
used the Montessori methods are good at learning things quickly and easily as compared to other kids .
this is the reason why the Montessori education is considered to be the most important part of a child`s
development. Because in this time of span he learns how to take care of himself and how to use the
things around him effectively.
1. The house of children must be designed as per the convenience of the c children ,. The children
cant learn in adult environment, where all the things are so large that they are unable to use
them. So everything in the House of Children must be according to the size of children e.g. small
furniture, small wash basin, and small cupboards.
2. In the House of Children the children must get the access of all the activity material ( Montessori
Material) , so they can make their own choice and can positively engage them .In the House of
Children the children must get the access of all the activity material ( Montessori Material) , so
they can make their own choice and can positively engage themselves. If the child mind is
engaged in any useful activity then instead of creating mess and running around they play with it
and learn a lot.
5. In a House of Children , every child must be considered as a complete individual totally different
from the other one. The focus of the teacher should be on the individuals not on the groups.
6. The main focus of the House of Children must be the learning of the children. The children build
up their own community over there they grow, they learn in that environment therefore the
adults must keep that environment like a family where every child is getting the required love
and affection.
7. The children at the age of 3-6 are like the sponges they absorb all the good and bad things as
well from their environment. So it is very important while designing the House of Children to
keep in mind the interest of different children, their independence so they can stay normalized.
Therefore the House of Children must be a place where all their inner desires are being
answered and catered properly, where their soul and mind is fully occupied and is utilized, and
all the Montessori material, all the activities even the outdoor activities such as gardening
should be designed and placed as per their requirement.
1. The children were more into some constructive work, rather than playing with just toys the kids
were always more happy and engaged with the constructive work.
2. The inner urge of the child is the most important thing which makes the child to select and
complete his task. The children must be given a choice to select what they want , so they will
start their learning whatever their interest is, the children are hungry to learn and explore new
things they are not like adults who work for incentives and salaries.
3. The children once find the right interest is eager to work for that thing. If they are being
provided with a suitable environment, with that work they do they Repetition and with
Repetition they start developing Concentration, which is the main key of learning new things.
4. Sometimes the children deviate from their normal routine , its because the normal working
environment is not suitable for them at that time , so to get them back to their normal work task
it is essential to let the child work freely and individually that is essential for their development.
5. Very young children don’t learn the things by themselves instead you can say they act like
monkeys .i.e. they do whatever you do in front of them. If you want to teach them how to put
the things in order then you need to do this with them, if you want them to be truthful then you
need to be the same with them. They will learn and act upon whatever they see you working or
doing around.
7. The children have the most absorbent minds, they are capable to learn a lot of things therefore
all those things were introduced to the children in the rightful manner and condition , it means
in a simple way so they can understand them, which were considered too high or too difficult
for the children.
8. Dr.Montessori discovered that discipline can`t be enforced, it is something that is related to the
freedom of the children. If the children are given freedom of choice then they maintain their
own discipline, they way of communicating with each other, they develop the sense of
responsibility and above all the learn to respect all. This all comes from freedom.
9. The obedience comes from love, respect and trust. If you build a healthy, loving and trustful
relation with a child, the obedience comes automatically.
10. Dr.Monstessori discovered that if the children are given suitable conditions then they behaves
normally , if they are not provided with suitable conditions and the adults who are supervising
them are not loving then the children will be destructive, disobedient and irritating .
11. Most of the activities and methods which were discovered in the house of Montessori were
based on the real experiences, such as the real life experiences, silence game and walking on the
line.
12. The voice of every child is that he wanted to be independent, even if he is asking for help means
that he is asking you to assist him so he can complete the task by himself.
13. Top obtain the desired results it is important to provide the kids with a suitable environment
which helps them too be independent, i.e. the children won’t be able to move from large desks
and chairs by themselves instead they always need assistance and can even hurt so it is
important to provide the children with the furniture and all the equipments that is suitable for
them in terms of size and reach.
14. Dr.Montessori observed that the children love more space so she designed the room in such a
way that the children can get more space and learn, there must be some sitting area on the
floor for the children and the room must be spacious enough so that the children can move
around easily.
15. Montessori designed the entire floor of the children with miniature furniture even the
bathrooms, wash basin and windows were very low so the children can use them with ease.
All these and many other ways which were discovered by Dr.Montessori were based on real life
experiences, which she has made. Today we call it the Montessori education, and it is
considered to be very important for every child as it leads them to stay happy and healthy
human being.
Physical Development:
the child is very active during this phase of time , he can balance on one leg, can walk tiptoes ,
run and can use the cycles.
He can throw ball, even can kick it as well
Pick up toys and can move large toys.
Can use ladders and can jump off from them.
He can hops for a longer time
He can play all sort of ball games
Can run faster and is able to balance him even on stairs.
Washes and dries hand with assistance
Is able to use spoon without spilling
Can torn pages in a book one by one
Lingual Development:
The child become very curious, he starts asking different questions.
Asks the meanings of different words
He can say his name, sex and age.
Try to complete the sentences but in a very childish way as he grows he started making
sentences properly and uses correct grammar as well.
He can count up till 10 and gradually this number increase.