Montessori is one of the first buzzwords that pops into mind when you hear about progressive, holistic education, but why is it so prominent, and how does it approach your little diamond in the rough? Montessori is a method of education rooted in child-directed hands-on learning and collaborative play that requires kiddos to make creative choices, discover themselves, and grow eagerly at their own pace. It has been around for over a century, and it is here to stay, so here is the century-old scoop and where to find the Montessori method in Jakarta!
Dr. Maria Montessori first applied the approach. She first applied her methods in 1907 in the slums of Rome, where she taught poor children by identifying "sensitive periods" of acute interest in acquiring certain skills and provided educators with a whole new understanding of child development. The Montessori method allows kids to develop at their own pace, comfortably, and therefore increasingly eagerly, in those areas that interest them most, thus excelling at the highest possible rate at what they're innately most interested in. The children choose their own curriculum by picking an activity from a list of options. A wide range of practices go by the name of "Montessori," but they need to fulfill the following conditions:
Children move freely in the space where materials are thoughtfully placed in age-appropriate reach. Classes consist of kids of mixed ages and abilities, where children ages 2½ or 3 to 6 (there are also classes for both younger and older children) freely socialize, form bonds, and work together on projects.
The teacher is required to be trained and highly perceptive of a child's nature, abilities, tendencies, and needs. The teacher's role is to introduce Montessori kids to materials and then retreat into a silent presence and observe the students as they direct their own learning process. There are no direct instructions to inhibit the kids' interest, but their choices are diligently taken note of.
The materials are key because they are the stimuli, the thing that should ignite that telling spark. To do so, they have to be displayed on open shelves of appropriate sizes and be as appealing and intentionally arranged as possible without any clutter. They are mostly made of natural materials such as wood, rather than plastic, and are developed by Montessori and her collaborators. The best thing about them is that they are made to be self-correcting, so the kids know when they need to switch their way of thinking as they grow. And lets them decide when they need adult help.
Montessori is a hands-on holistic approach to education and allows children to make friends from all age groups.
For any child who loves independence and adventure.
Did you know Montessori schools are conducive to special needs children as it lets them learn at their own pace?
You can also view:
Best playgrounds in Jakarta.
Top activities to do with kids in Jakarta.
Guide to ultimate after-school activities in Jakarta.
Guide to Best Preschools and Kindergartens in Jakarta.
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