Montessori schools are child-centered and emphasize self-directed learning. They focus on practical approaches to learning, use hands-on activities, and do not use letter grades. Critics have concerns about mastery of all subjects and the lack of homework. Montessori concepts have been introduced into some public schools but may not be compatible with traditional education methods.
A Montessori school is a school developed in the early 20th century, on the principles of Dr. Maria Montessori. These schools are a way of teaching children that is completely child-centered and child-directed. Although the first schools were generally for pre-primary and primary levels, there are now numerous which teach up to grade 20.
The main methods in a Montessori school emphasize several important beliefs. The first is that children have the ability to direct their own learning. Secondly, children do not learn in the same way as adults and not all children have the same learning methods. Children are supposed to be the “masters” of their environment, and classrooms are specially prepared for this mastery. Exercises and equipment should be self-correcting so your child learns from their mistakes and moves on. Finally, the child determines the educational rhythm.
Montessori school focuses heavily on practical approaches to learning. Children should be allowed to engage, as much as possible, with all five senses in learning approaches. Most of these schools have a variety of hands-on activities and may offer opportunities for animal care, food preparation or gardening, as well as natural activities, such as sweeping and cleaning.
Letter grades are not usually part of the Montessori school approach. Dr. Montessori believed that grades encourage unnatural and unhealthy competition that interferes with learning. Instead, students can be assessed by the skills they acquire. Today such a school can offer grades as many parents feel that it is necessary to evaluate the child from an academic point of view. This can also be beneficial for students completing a 13-year education at a Montessori school, as grades are an important consideration at most colleges.
Critics of the Montessori school approach have been noted, but it is popular enough to have over 8,000 schools in the United States alone. The common criticism of Montessori methods sometimes registers concern that some students will not master all areas of academic importance if they remain uninterested in them. Some Montessori students have admitted difficulties with math because they didn’t “should” learn it. On average, the Montessori student tends to perform as well or better than those educated in traditional public schools. Math problems aren’t unique to Montessori students.
Montessori school methods have also been criticized for not assigning homework. Some schools now assign homework, but some critics are concerned about the transition required when students move to schools where homework is required. This is an ongoing debate involving more than Montessori methods. Some districts that are otherwise traditional have now banned homework, which in general has seen a strong skew from the No Child Left Behind Act. A Montessori proponent would argue that children are constantly learning, and therefore staying home is a learning experience.
Most Montessori schools in the United States are private and many have a high level of education. Some public school districts have attempted to introduce Montessori concepts into mainstream public schools. This hasn’t been entirely successful, since Montessori often involves the antithesis of traditional public school, where you rely heavily on students getting along at the same pace and mastering certain skills at certain points. Some public charter schools are still attempting to bring Montessori concepts into mainstream education, which may prove interesting to watch.
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