Education
A Global Idea of Montessori
Santwana Basu writes on a global idea of Montessori.
The child is our World. At the Casa–Dei-Bambini Kolkata, we follow the Montessori method and use all the Apparatus for four major developmental areas to cater to the needs of our children. These include EPL (Exercise of Practical Life) Sensorial, Language and Arithmetic. Children are very happy in our prepared environment.
The touchstone of Montessori Education is engagement with purposeful work in an activity centric environment. So, we have to think twice before giving a task to the child. Is it an activity or an exercise? How much involvement with the material will help the child to be enriched? What children need are the experiences with the materials which spark their interests.
Let me quote Maria Montessori’s thought, “I could only write the first page of the book of the CHILD–after that I observed and followed the child”
In her prayer she mentioned, “Help us, oh lord! To penetrate into the secrets of childhood so that we may know him, love him and serve him according to thy JUSTICE following thy divine will.” We have to understand what the secret of childhood is; then only will we be able to serve and love our children.
When Montessori started her work with children, “they were closed flowers with souls closed within”. Circumstances enabled these children to undergo an extraordinary transformation–their souls revealed themselves with such radiance as to spread a light through the World. This is what she discovered—“the secrets of childhood”.
It is not a system but a method, a path which is open-ended. It is therefore flexible not rigid.
It is a revolution–not a reform.
Montessori is interested in human development–childhood in particular and nature’s time table.
One cannot see the method, one sees the child.
Study of the child is through observation–Methodically, Scientifically and Respectfully.
Better relationship between the child and the adult.
Environment adapted to the needs of the child.
Children learn by doing. It is a point of arrival, not a point of departure.
A child progresses according to his own pace.
Originator of the method is not Dr. Montessori but the child.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SENSORIAL MATERIALS:
1) They are scientifically prepared.
2) They are universal in character.
3) They are physically and psychically proportionate.
4) They are not familiar materials.
5) Various activities are possible with one material.
6) A psychological technique has been used. Difference is in the physical property; all the rest is the same.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT OF CASA-DEI-BAMBINI KOLKATA
Dr. Montessori preferred children’s mother tongue as medium of instruction.
They can follow, understand, concentrate and express better through mother tongue.
Memory, imagination, power of observation, listening and speaking skill increase.
HER MOTTO IS:
Respect the child
Learn from the child
Follow the child