Review of the Montessori Method Essay Example

by 1933. Nevertheless, Maria pursued her work and training in India and later came back to the Netherlands. As an impressive achievement, Maria was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times (A Biography of Maria Montessori, n. d.). Throughout her life, Maria's profound impact was notably experienced in Europe as well as in the United States.

Maria's book, The Montessori Method, aims to communicate her ideals regarding the significance of granting children the opportunity to exercise their freedom of choice, the teacher's role, and the management of a Montessori classroom. According to Maria, contemporary education curbs children's potential and represses their individuality, rendering them lifeless and meaningless. Instead, Maria suggests that children possess an innate desire and capability to learn, enabling them to direct their learning through exploration. Through this freedom, Maria believes that discipline arises naturally for individuals who are able to regulate their own conduct. Furthermore, this method fosters an active and engaged approach to learning that prepares children for practical and social aspects of life. (Montessori 1912, p. 15)

According to Montessori (1912, p. 87), the role of the teacher in the classroom is to act as the "directress" and guide children through observation. By disappearing into the background and observing each child's abilities and interests, the teacher can choose materials that will effectively stimulate learning.

According to Montessori's approach, the classroom should have a flexible schedule that caters to each child's needs and interests. This includes activities such as intellectual exercises, directed games, practical life activities, simple gymnastics, free play, and songs (Montessori, 1912, p. 20). In addition, Maria believed that the "didactic materials" utilized by children should have a specific

educational purpose and allow the child to exercise their senses so that they remain engaged in their learning process (Montessori, 1912, p. 169). The classroom furniture should also be child-sized so that children can fully explore their surroundings and make them their own (Montessori, 1912, p. 82).

Reading Maria Montessori's original work revealed her passion for helping children learn in the way she believed was best for them. Her philosophies still have an important place in education today, and she emphasizes the significance of child-led activities to make them more relevant to the child and enhance their learning experience. Montessori uses practical didactic materials, and her activities are designed to align closely with real-life and community experiences.

In the opinion of Maria, preparing a child for life beyond the classroom is vital. Although she wishes to impart her observation style on new teachers, I believe further training in child psychology and education history gives them a broader understanding of the education foundations they practice. Imaginative play can still exist in a realistic classroom setting, where children can explore objects freely to inspire invention and innovation. The contributions Maria made to education remain invaluable, and her philosophy endures over a hundred years later.

Although Maria Montessori's observations and work with children are timeless, her theories as presented in this book were specifically meant to address the needs of her time. In an era marked by a rise in the working class, as well as a growing interest and need for early childhood care and education, Maria went beyond basic care expectations and designed education based on the interests and abilities of each child. By removing restrictive desks, her school

offered a clean, open space for children to freely explore and learn.

The Montessori Method has influenced the principles of early childhood education, such as activity centers, genuine learning opportunities, and movement-based learning. These concepts remain relevant in present-day preschool settings and were acquired through real-life experiences. Educators and administrators can gain valuable insight into child development and the educational process by consulting this book.

If you want to apply Montessori philosophy in your classroom or school, this book is a vital tool for creating your program. For additional details, visit: http://montessori.org.au/montessori/biography.htm