Children of Light
Christian Montessori
Montessori
Maria Montessori
Dr. Maria Montessori was one of the first female doctors in Italy and eventually became the founder of the Montessori Method of education. Through her work with disadvantaged children in Italy's slums, she found that children learn best through tactile means. She viewed children as unique individuals who are each at distinct developmental planes. Dr. Montessori dedicated her life to discovering how children learn best. She wrote numerous books, lectured all over the world, and, most importantly, spent innumerable hours observing children. She developed many hands-on materials that help bring sensorial experience to learning. She found that children can work independently and exploratively when the environment is prepared for them. Today, the Montessori Method is the most widely known pedagogy of education in the world.
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The Child
The child is viewed as an active participant in their own learning and development. The child is seen as capable, curious, and possessing an innate desire to learn and explore their environment. Montessori also emphasizes the importance of respecting the child's individuality and allowing them to learn at their own pace.
The Enviroment
The Montessori environment is designed to foster independence, creativity, and a love of learning in children. It is a child-centered approach that emphasizes hands-on learning, self-directed activity, and collaborative play. The classroom is carefully prepared with materials that are designed to meet the developmental needs of each child, and teachers act as guides, observing and supporting each child's individual progress. Overall, the Montessori environment is a nurturing and stimulating space that encourages children to explore, discover, and grow.
The Guide
In the Montessori method of education, the Montessori guide has a significant role to play. They are responsible for setting up an environment that is conducive to learning and encourages children to be independent, self-disciplined, and enthusiastic about learning. The guide closely observes and guides each child's progress, providing them with the appropriate tools and materials to help them achieve their full potential. It's all about guiding children into discovery.
Faith Formation
Sadly, the majority of Montessori schools today have removed the faith portion from Dr. Montessori's vision. Christian Montessori preserves the heart of Montessori education, which seeks to foster a sense of wonder and awe in the child's relationship with God. Montessori faith formation provides hands-on interaction with the biblical narrative and opportunities for reflection and prayer.
