Key Terms Used in Montessori Method of Education

Key Terms Used in Montessori Method of Education 

Dr. Maria Montessori introduced  a wonderful method to parents and teachers to teach and bring up children. Like all sciences, Montessori method of education also used different terminologies . These terms help parents and teachers understand the concept better.

Here is a list of important terms used in the Montessori Method of Education :

Absorbent Mind :

Maria Montessori believed that the children's mind is like a sponge. The more you teach them the more they absorb and grasp.  According to her, most of the child's development takes place between the age of 0-6 years. Till the age of 3 years , a child absorbs everything which he sees around him indiscriminately. Once the child has turned 3 years, he begins to understand his environment better and starts expressing his feelings as a unique individual.  

Children's House :

In most of the Montessori Schools, the classrooms for children between the age of 3-6 years are called Children's House.

Control Of Error :

In a Montessori Classroom, a child is given an instant feedback of any activity which he is doing. The child is able to understand and rectify the error without any adult assistance. This makes the child independent and it gives him the confidence to complete tasks on his own.

Courtesy :

Being courteous forms an integral part of the Montessori curriculum. The children from the very beginning are taught be polite and talk with respect. Words like "thank you" and "please" form an integral part of their everyday lives.

Didactic Materials :

In simple terms, didactic means which which is designed for some specific purpose. In Montessori method of teaching, all the materials are made by Dr. Maria Montessori and are only available in the Montessori classrooms.

Mixed Age Classrooms :

Dr. Maria Montessori believed that no two children are the same. In a Montessori classroom, children of mixed ages are grouped together. For eg. 3-6 years in  one class, 6-9 in a different and so on. This helps the younger children to learn better from other children who are slightly older to them. This helps in building leadership qualities in older children and also they become role models for the younger children. Mixed age class room is also very helpful in building social skills in children.

Practical Life:

Montessori method lays a lot of emphasis on the practical life and day to day work. The children are given simple tasks of dusting, sweeping, keeping their toys back, setting of table. Also, from an early age, they are encouraged to get dressed independently.

Rules :

Although a child is allowed to move independently in a Montessori Classroom, there are certain ground rules which need to be followed. For eg, Not to interfere or interrupt any other child while he is working on an activity, keeping things back after completing an activity.

Repetition of Activities :

The children are given the independence to choose the activities which they would like to do and repeat it a number of times until they are satisfied.Montessori method of education gives them the freedom to choose and work on any activity that they like. This makes them feel important and a part of the family.

Sensitive Periods :

In Montessori, the sensitive periods occurs from birth to six years of age. During this period, the child shows spontaneous concentration and urge to do a particular task.

Three hours work period :

In Montessori schools children have three hours of open, uninterrupted time to choose independent work, become deeply engaged, and repeat to their own satisfaction.

Work:

Usually work is used for the term play. In Montessori method, play is also defined as a form a form of work. The existence of a pressure free environment gives them the freedom to have fun and play whatever they want to play.

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