Montessori education is an educational approach developed by Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori (1870 - 1952) and characterized by an emphasis on independence, freedom within limits, and respect for a child’s natural psychological, physical, and social development.
In Czech is Montessori education becoming very popular nowadays.
Is this approach still useful in 21. century?
Is it possible to use some of Montessori´s principles at Universities?
Dear Jitka and RG Fellows,
Maria Montessori was the first women who got in Italy the University degree in Medicine. Her activity was well known but her methods were not enough applied.
Italy recognized her overwhelming role in education dedicating to her the last Italian note of 1000 Lire.
Have a good evening
1-Picture of the 1000 lire with the portrait of Maria Montessori
2- one of her famous quotation
Maria Montessori was Italian, so It is well known here in Italy.
Actually, in Italy not all the schools adopted this approach, just a few and it is clearly indicated in the presentation of the teaching methods.
Moreover, I think that the method was developed during an hystorical period in which the teaching and education were very strictly and so it was considered revolutionary.
At present, the Independence and freedom is more widespread without an explicit reference to the original methods. It is somehow embedded in modern teaching.
On the other side, I don't think that it can be adopted for higher education or even university, since it is conceived during the first phases of growth. A teenager has to be educated to consider limits and rules that are present in everiday life.
She is well known in Germany, too. There are a lot of Montessori-Schools in our country.
Montessori is well known in Switzerland, too. But there are just a few specialised schools - so it is like Pier Paolo said, not all schools adopted this approach. And as far as I know the techniques it is really just for the first learning periods of children.
Dear Jitka, the Montessori approach is well established in South Africa, as is evident in the embedded link.
http://www.samontessori.org.za/
Montessori Schools are very popular in the US. Those schools are typically preK to 6th grade. Montessori teachers have their own system of certification and professional development.
This model was certainly popular in British Columbia in Canada 15 years ago. It possibly still is, but cannot confirm as I haven't followed its evolution.
We have Estonia Montessori movement from 2006 and
Centre of children development
http://www.montessori.ee/en
Here in Spain, as María del Puerto says, is well known (perhaps it has more presence on private schools). Here it is a list and a map of spanish Montessori's schools.
http://ludus.org.es/es/projects?age=admits_children&pedagogy_id=3
In France she is well known sibce years, and there exist Montessori schools
Provides maternal care in knowledge development
The aim of Montessori pedagogy for a child in the second phase of infancy is to provide motives for constructive activity in the child's environment. The embryo of this period is a social one, the child's ability to form a community with other infants, and the classroom becomes a society in embryo
http://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/bitstream/2123/1859/7/07chapter6.pdf
In Nigeria, Montessori Schools exists but only in nursery and primary schools. My brothers wife owns one. It might work in the secondary schools but I have not seen one yet. Adopting the approach to education in University level may be a bit difficult in Nigeria as most University classes are over populated
I should have said that as far as I know, Montessori runs only at primary level
Yes, Jitka, the Pedagogy of Montessori is known in Portugal. A few kindergarten and primary private schools declare they adopted Montessori's methodology, others use some materials and techniques. Nowadays there are less "Montessori Kindergartens". They spread out in Portugal in the XXth century within the context of the so called "Modern School" trend. The Modern School pedagogical proposals were a strong alternative to the transmissive teaching methodology that was (is!) the predominant methodology in teaching practice. The Modern School trend provided important contributions to the improvement of quality in infant education. It was/is focused on the child autonomous learning within a continuum linking the family set, kindergarten and primary school. Some special needs centres still adopt the so called "Montessori pedagogical materials" as part of specific educational programmes designed to stimulate the child's sensorial and cognitive skills, daily life skills, maths skills, etc.
Chennai - Give best primary education to your toddler by Montessori way
In South Africa there are quite a lot of Montessori schools in the big cities and in several towns and are especially popular for younger learners
Of course she is. There are some Montessori schools because of her education theory
Thank you very much for all your really interesting answers. Students at our faculty like workshops about Montessori educational approach, which is still new to them. It was not known before velvet revolution in 1989 because of barrier between east and west Europian countries. Gradually increase the number of schools using the principles of method. At the first private kindergarten, then private schools and nowadays some state schools as well.
I think Montessori approach is good inspiration for active learning through solving problems and knowing through senses.
Best regards, Jitka
In the USA Montessori schools have been in existence for about as long as Montessori itself. They are usually small schools with strong parental support. They have been well researched for years.
In Uruguay, South America her methods are very well known. In fact, in the first half of the XX century, several young teachers went to Italy to have a close look to several schools ruled by her pedagogical principles. When they came back, these principles were the basis of our Kinder education, which has been considered very good since then.
I know the Montessori style is used in West African countries like Ghana, I know a few people that attend the Montessori school and they tend to encourage independent thinking
Adding to William Coscarelli's remarks about the USA: In my experience there are many Montessori schools throughout our country, but most are for Grade 6 (age 12) and below and most are private. My eldest daughter attended a private Montessori nursery school when she was about 3 and I loved the calm, peaceful environment and the methods they used.
In my area, Dayton, Ohio, there is one public school that is dedicated to the Montessori methods - River's Edge Montessori School for PreK - 6th grade. According to their website (www.dps.k12.oh.us/school-rivers-edge), students are in multi-grade level groupings:
- Ages 3 - 6: Pre-K, Kindergarten
- Ages 6 - 9: Grade Levels 1 - 3
- Ages 9 - 12: Grade Levels 4 - 6
Teachers work with the same students for a 3 year period and student skill reports replace letter grade report cards. I'd like to see these methods more widely used.
.
Yes, in Canada, there are Montessori schools in most cities but not in all schools. Most often, it is taken up in pre-school programs which are supported by parents directly, rather than in the formal school system. As noted above, this approach is perceived as being most appropriate for little children.
In my country "Palestine", I am aware of one Montessori school in the city of Ramallah & of one Montessori kindergarten in the city of Nablus. Every now & then, I receive e-mails from them. I have the impression that they are doing well by getting out of the old rigid molds of education. My opinion is that the role of a teacher ought to become facilitator of learning in a stepwise manner. A knowledge, reached after personal effort, becomes more engraved than a knowledge "poured" from an external source.
Dear Jitka and RG Fellows,
Maria Montessori was the first women who got in Italy the University degree in Medicine. Her activity was well known but her methods were not enough applied.
Italy recognized her overwhelming role in education dedicating to her the last Italian note of 1000 Lire.
Have a good evening
1-Picture of the 1000 lire with the portrait of Maria Montessori
2- one of her famous quotation
Dear All,
The life and activity of Maria Montessori are well-known in pedagogical circles in Hungary. I confess I have not known her name until today but found a lot of information at Hungarian URLs. There is also a Montessori Association of Hungary and a lot foundations.
Her famous saying is: “Help Me - Enable Me to Work on My Own!”
She must have been emphatically Christian (Roman Catholic) because many foundations bearing her name were Catholic or Protestant organisations. I have found even the Hungarian version of one of her articles from 1932.
Dear all,
This is my first time to hear the name Maria Montessori but the comments given prove her prominence in some countries with her good philosophy of child education.
Thank you dear Jitka for letting me know this.
The Montessori method is used in Indonesian's private Early Childhood education. The Montessori method seems to fit in current modern theories, as the learning is centered around
- Daily Living Things
- Education of the Senses (Montessori observed that children learn best through the senses (senses before the intellect)
- Language Development
- Number Concepts
- Science and Exploration of the Wider World
It aims to develop confident, independent, balanced decision makers in a special designed environment, but if I am not mistaken (I have never worked in a Montessori school), the method does not see (imaginative) play as an important part of learning.
Yes, known in my home county, Nigeria and all the countries I have lived, i.e. UK, UAE and Canada.
Montessori is well known in New Zealand and definitely relevant in the 21st Century. There are Montessori Schools at Pre-School, Primary and Secondary within New Zealand.
http://www.montessori.org.nz/montessori-newzealand
"Montessori" as a term is well-known in Ireland - but often mis-used to mean pre-school education which may or may not adhere to the principles of Montessori education. However, beyond a pre-school level (ie for older than age 4), it is not usual to find schools that use the Montessori method, although there are a couple.
Montessori is quite "popular" in Spain but her name is used with different meanings. Not every Montessori school follows her methods. In my opinion, she is rather unknown and there are common misunderstood around her theory of education.
Montessori is popular among some private early childhood centres in Trinidad and Tobago. However, in government early childhood settings a more eclectic approach is used for teaching and learning such as brain-based learning theories of Sylvester and others, Erickson, Vygotsky and Malaguzzi custructivist/socio-constructivism and multiple intelligences theory by Gardner.
The pillars on which early childhood teachings rest in this country is in children learning to learn, to do, to become and to live together and in a sense this incorporates some basic elements of the Montessori philosophy which espouses cultural diversity, experiential learning, teacher facilitation of learning, and the provision of learning materials.
The emphasis in the early childhood classroom in this era is on preparing children for primary school and as such, formal reading and writing is not the preschool priority rather, pre-requisite skills and concepts, self-esteem and emotional intelligence are among the early childhood classroom experiences.
The Montessori approach still has relevance to the 21st Century but this method has been perceived as a costly one to maintain in terms of the artefacts or pedagogy used on a daily basis in the classroom. Indeed, learning by doing, critcal analysis, problem solving skills, cultural integration and understanding of others are Montessori principles that form adult competencies at the level of university.
Montessori's method is not well known in Portugal. At pre-school level her materials are known for some, but not throughout the country.
Yes, I think that Montessori approach is relevant in 21st century at any school level, including the university level.
In India, Parents see the long-term impact of early Montessori education in their children or in those of their acquaintances, and are taken up by it
There are some special schools in Turkey that they use it.
Such as:
http://www.sihirlibahce.com.tr/montessori/montessori-yontemi/
In Finland we have mostly Montessori pre-schools but also some primary schools, as well.. In addition, Montessori's ideas and research is studied at some point dunring the first years of teacher education along with Erikson, Piaget, Vygotsky etc.
In India, still focus is on 'ambitious learning' at large. However some of us are able to acknowledge the 'long-term' impact. I preferred schools with Montessori style of teaching for my daughter (who is now in grade 6). We recently moved from India to Melbourne and teachers here at Melbourne school have positive feedback about her academic and extra-curricular capabilities. This gratifies us of having made a better choice for her education.
There are at least 4000 Montessori Schools in the US. Parents believe the method develops the ability to focus. You can contact the American Montessori Association for futher information,.
The link for the American Montessori Society is: amshq.org
It contains research, information about their annual conference, teachers, training programs etc.
Besides the 400 Montessori Schools in the U.S., there are many thousands of other schools that integrate the method.
Unfortunately, in my country Maria Montessori is not well
famous.
Dear Jitka,
I just realized that you asked if any universites taught the montessori method. If you go on the website for the American Montessori Society: www.amshq.org you will see that some universities offer masters degrees in Montessori education while others simply include the theory with other educational theory.
Responsibility of teachers in moulding a child - teachers should be sincere at work and impart value education to children. The student – teacher relationship should be amicable and teachers should have a thorough knowledge of the subject she or he handles.
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-downtown/montessori-education-dvds-released/article2309760.ece
Of course. Two of my children attended pre-school and primary school in a Montessori school in Athens, Greece.
Yes, Montessori school system is very popular in our country. We have Montessori schools for all levels, from pre school to collegiate level. Montessori system has been present in our country for around 40 years.
Montessori's ideas are often covered in education courses in the U.S., but, unfortunately, these ideas are often not put into practice in schools that are not specially organized around her methods. :(
Yes, we have schools of thought is known here in my country, following Montessori principles and guidance. Primarily Montessori principles were based in lower level of education. More research is needed so as to apply the same principles to University level. However, my knowlegde command me to say that Montessori's principles work best in lower level of education
i agree with prof. krishnan that teachers efforts are more important to deliver quality education, every method has its own merits and demerits and even now we see freedom and independence in schools, colleges and at vast level in universities. this situation has a drastic effects on education system.trends are already changing, so the idea of freedom and independent role are now i practice.
There is a Montessori Public Elementary School in Columbia, South Carolina, USA where I live. South Carolina Montessori Alliance is an organization that promotes access to Montessori education for all children. http://www.scmontessori.org/
Thank you for asking this question, because for one or other reason I thought it originated from the work of a man! Yes, it is known in South Africa, in fact, there are schools in my vicinity. I do understand that it is worthwhile, just did not have time to investigate it.
Hello!
My first school was Montessorian. I have learned there how to read, calculate, play music instruments, etc. Especially how to study with pleasure.
I feel the benefits of this methodology almost every day. I am a 58-year-old teacher and still remember the use of shapes and colours and I still use them when I am teaching. That gives my students the same pleasure I felt when I was in the kindergarden. No matter how old they are.
I remember that we were not forced to do anything, but we all wanted to participate to every activity and do our best.
Dear Crisaidi, I absolutely agree with you. "Study with pleasure" is for me the most important aspect of Montessori education. Not learning for grades (or fear of punishment) but for the pleasure of learning itself. Nice feeling of awakened creativity has lifetime importance.
Unfortunately not enough attention is still paid to the process of education at universities and teachers are not trained in these skills: "how to give students the pleasure of education, not to force them to do anything but made them want participate and do their best."
Dear colleagues, thank you very much for all your answers. They are really interesting. I am amazed with so much positive references to Montessory approach from around the world.
Kind regards, Jitka
Yes, Montessori education is well known here in California. My daughter was a "Montessori kid" from age 3 to 11. She is now 37 and a Director of Extended Studies as a 4 year university. I value the education very highly.
A very good friend of mine owns and runs about 5 Montessori schools in California and in Florida. One of her schools is a place where teachers can become trained and certified as Montessori teachers.
My opinion is that the approach is not practical for adults at a university level. Hoever, for adults who are earning degrees or credentials as educators, the techniques have very high value for a quality of the experience of learning.
Dear Jitka,
in Germany there are in any bigger city - but too in smaller ones - Montessory schools. The concept is very popular in middle class familys and familys with interest in art an culture. In Germany there work more than 1000 schools an Kindergardens along the Montessori cocept. For detail look to the website of "montessory-deutschland.de"
Gerhard
In Kazakhstan, Montessori education is expanding. There is an association for Montessori education and but is primarily located only in the two major cities in the country. In this last year, I helped to bring expand a local Montessori school to the first English language Montessori school in the country.
In Portugal Montessori aprroach is studied in initial teacher education, specially in preschool teacher education, as one more approach. Some schools have Montessori materials, but schools following Montessori approach exclusively are not usual as well as there are not schools following other approaches in exclusive.
It is known in Spain, but is not followed by a majority of schools. It is rather implemented in private and expensive shools than in public ones.
There is a Montessori Education (UK) organisation; see: http://www.montessorieducationuk.org/
A recent PhD student of mine studied creative problem solving in a Montessori pre-school in Saudi Arabia; see: Thesis How the use of Montessori sensorial material supports childr...
Dear Keith, yes, there are a lot of followers of Montessori ideas and pedagogy in Portugal. Some of the schools following this approach can be reached by this link: http://educamais.com/escolas-montessori-em-portugal/
Best.
Maria Montessori had a house in Barcelona for some years. She worked directly with Catalan educators at the beginning of the 20th century. This way, in Catalonia there are not too many "Montessori schools" but the educational curriculum is impregnated with their ideas. More details in the next paper (it's not mine):
https://ddd.uab.cat/pub/artpub/2005/132998/revhis_a2005v26n2p200.pdf
Well known in Greece, as well. It started with Maria Goudeli who was a student of Maria Montessori!
Montessori method is well known in Italy.
Although, and it may seem ironic, this method is not so much practiced as it could since it was born here.
Very few public schools use the Montessori method, while there are many Montessori private institutions, so if you are Italian and you want to have a Montessori education for your kids, you probably have to select a Private school.
"Nemo profeta in patria" as the Latin said...
Some masterful quotes by Maria Montessori:
"Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed."
[There is the great story of someone TRYING to help out the butterfly in getting out of its cocoon earlier than nature destined for it and therefore interfering in a natural process and ultimately NOT helping!]
"The greatest sign of success for a teacher... is to be able to say, ’The children are now working as if I did not exist.’
[The students own the learning process now; are taking ownership of their own learning]
"One test of the correctness of educational procedure is the happiness of the child."
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