flynn088

Education should no longer be mostly imparting knowledge but must take a new path seeking the release of human potential —Maria Montessori I started my Montessori school because I wanted to create an environment that was enriching, engaging, and encouraging for children. I wanted to build a school that implements the work and research of Maria Montessori because I believe in her philosophy so strongly. It is a very rewarding experience to see the students’ joy as they embrace a love for learning and truly appreciate their schooling experience. Montessori education, especially in the early years, provides a strong and significant foundation that students carry with them throughout their schooling experience. Owning and Running a Montessori School - A Teacher's Perspective The Montessori teacher does not just educate the child on curricular objectives; she cultivates the development of the whole child. I believe in setting high expectations for students and helping them reach their f...

Maria Montessori observed that when children were given freedom in an environment suited to their needs, they flourished and reached their full potential. She noted that after a period of intense concentration and the opportunity to work with materials that were fully engaging, children were refreshed and content; their inner discipline and sense of peace seemed to grow. Dr. Montessori described this unique process in a child’s development as “normalization,” and she referred to it as “ the most important single result of our whole work. ” ( The Absorbent Mind, p. 204 ) Normalization in Montessori Elementary: A Teacher's Perspective In my experience, every Montessori classroom reaches a period of normalization in a different time frame, unique to the individuals in the classroom. One factor that seems to affect the rate of reaching normalization is the environment’s ratio of returning students to new students. In my experience, when fewer than one-third of the children are new, you...

Montessori education is designed to help all children reach their full potential at their own unique pace. This is equally true for children who have learning challenges and those who are considered gifted learners. I was reminded of this when I had a gifted student begin our elementary classroom. Ty, as we will call him, inspired me to provide new ways to enrich his learning and help him reach his full potential. Key to Ty’s success was the flexible and individual nature of the Montessori learning environment, strong communication with Ty’s parents, and Ty’s own eagerness to learn. Working with a Gifted Child in the Montessori Classroom: A Teacher's Experience There were many presentations Ty understood quickly, materials he instinctively knew how to use, and advanced extensions he mastered easily. Fortunately, we were able to challenge Ty because the Montessori environment gave him the freedom to grow and learn at his own pace. He was able to move quickly through activities and c...

When I began my Montessori career, finding Montessori ideas and lessons on the Internet was challenging to say the least. My colleagues and I frequently bemoaned the lack of resources and photos. Today, there are blogs, such as NAMC’s Montessori blog, YouTube videos, and social media sites , like Pinterest , where Montessori educators and parents collectively post their ideas, lessons, and advice. This wealth of information can be helpful, but it is important to remember some basic Montessori principals as you search the Internet for Montessori work. Tips for Educators: Adjusting Activities Found on the Internet for Montessori 1. Is the work beautiful? I recently saw a cutlery sorting activity that used a plastic tray and plastic cutlery. While this is a wonderful practical life activity, I couldn't help thinking how much more appealing it would have been had it used a wooden tray and real cutlery. It may have cost a bit more, but using real materials inspires children not only to...