Mrs. Menuka Maharjan
Pre-school coordinator
Montessori is a method of education that was developed by Doctor Maria Montessori. It’s worldwide and has proven successful for more than 100 years. It is based on self-directed activities, hands-on learning and collaborative play. It offers a broad view of education as an aid and a preparation for life. Children can follow their own interests, get strong academics, be responsible and self-disciplined rather than formal teaching methods. It is a unique form of early education. It has been successfully integrated into many private schools’ curriculum. Montessori Method of learning discovers and explores the unlimited knowledge to develop the children’s maximum potential in their own way.
Montessori Method involves a curriculum of learning that comes from the child’s own natural inner guidance and expresses itself in outward behavior as the child’s various individual interests in learning. It provides a huge range of learning materials to stimulate the interest of the child. Each material teaches a specific learning outcome that progressively builds children’s knowledge and skills. Children’s master the five core areas of the Montessori curriculum, which includes Practical life, sensorial, Mathematics, language and Culture. These skills learned in pre primary classrooms are polished in the elementary classes. Students learn to take responsibilities for their own learning and initiate their own experiences to develop essential cognitive skills.
The Montessori classroom is a carefully prepared learning space where everything has a purpose and a place. Classroom tables, chairs, learning materials, racks, shelves, sinks, etc. are child sized. Everything is thoughtfully designed and displayed to support children’s independence.
All the Montessori materials are hands-on learning tools that guide children to discover key learning outcomes through repetition and practice. They isolate one concept or skill and are designed with an in-built control of error. This allows children to identify and correct their own mistakes.
In the context of Nepal, there are many Montessori schools, which neither have the proper infrastructures, Montessori lab to support the child development nor are they offering qualitative education. So I just want to address the parents that we are still in misconception that Montessori schools only teach alphabets and numerals, provide lunch facilities, some extra activities and a bit more care . But in fact, it is a systematic learning method where the curriculum is flexible, a proper Montessori lab full of Montessori apparatus, child friendly infrastructures, well trained teachers, healthy environment, love and care.
So, please have a thorough research and choose the best one. Investment in quality Montessori education shapes the brighter future with a strong foundation of our children.