SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING

Montessori Teaching Tips: How to Foster Independence in Your Students

18 January 2015,  By Zineb DJOUB

We all know that children possess an innate ability to construct knowledge and transfer this natural process, yet we still believe that they have to commit to memory to become educated beings. We know that igniting a love of learning is the key to their engagement, but continue to reward and punish them with grades. Despite our awareness of how children learn best, traditional methods still dominate. To truly support children’s development and provide them with the best schooling opportunities, we must embrace the philosophy of Montessori teaching.

What is Montessori teaching?

The Montessori method of education is a child-centred approach that emphasizes hands-on learning, self-directed activity, and collaborative play.

Children are given structured routines and the freedom to choose materials that appeal to them.

Montessori teaching was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator, in the early 1900s.

Montessori teaching aims to support the child’s development, mainly in the fields of movement, sensorial, and language education (Kececioglu, 2015).

But what do children learn in a Montessori programme?

Montessori is a back-to-basics approach which means children learn the basic facts of grammar, reading, and mathematics. They then become more involved with history, geography, and science.

They learn some handwork as well as practical life skills (e.g., preschool children do table washing and snack preparation).

But, Montessori education is also progressive, since Montessori children are free to choose what they work on and when they often work collaboratively.

There are no grades, punishments or rewards. The materials are self-correcting, so children can recognize and fix their mistakes.

The Montessori method is based on the following principles:

• Respect for the child: Montessori teaching is designed to recognize and address different learning styles. So, children progress at their own pace and rhythm, according to their individual capabilities.
• Prepared environment: Montessori classrooms provide carefully prepared, orderly, pleasing environments and materials where children are free to respond to their natural tendency to work individually or in small groups.
• Self-directed learning: Children are provided with self-discovery learning opportunities where they explore and experiment with materials.
• Hands-on learning: Children are allowed to use their hands and senses to explore the world around them.
• Collaborative play: Children learn to collaborate and support one another, instead of competing for high grades in their class.

 

Benefits of Montessori teaching

Montessori education offers a wide range of benefits that support children’s development holistically.

In Montessori classrooms, children take the initiative to explore and correct their own mistakes. This approach fosters a natural sense of responsibility and boosts self-confidence and autonomy.

Kuscu, Bozdas, and Yildirim Dogru (2014) found that Montessori education enhances children’s abilities to take responsibility, wait their turn, and complete tasks they start—key skills for lifelong learning.

Moreover, the prepared environment of Montessori teaching plays a crucial role in developing self-control and internal discipline.

Research by Oguz and Akyol (2006) and Cakiroglu Wilbrandt (2013) highlighted how such environments encourage children to regulate their behaviour and build self-confidence without unnecessary adult intervention.

Montessori education also nurtures social and emotional skills. Glenn (2003) observed that children educated through the Montessori method tend to become open-minded, cooperative, patient, and socially aware individuals who are eager to learn and explore.

In the same concern, parents whose children received Montessori education stated that they were more self-confident, free-spirited, self-employed, and happy (Sop & Turgut, 2021).

Studies also found that preschool children who received Montessori education were more successful in social cooperation, independence, and interaction compared to their peers in traditional classrooms.

So, Montessori teaching not only prepares children for academic success but also for meaningful engagement in their communities.

How to implement Montessori teaching in your classroom?

There are many ways to implement Montessori teaching in your classroom. Here are a few tips:

# Create a prepared environment

Organise the environment to promote choice, easy access, freedom to move within the classroom and to appear attractive and inviting.

Provide a variety of materials including manipulative objects designed to support children’s learning of sensory concepts such as dimension, colour, shape and texture, and academic concepts of mathematics, literacy, science, geography and history.

However, be sure to select materials that fit the developmental needs and characteristics of children.

#Encourage self-directed learning

Provide opportunities for children to explore and experiment with materials at their own pace, and work independently or in small groups.

After setting your materials in place and setting clear expectations and boundaries, children can choose their activities and work at their own pace.

For instance, some of them may choose reading while others do math.

They are also free to move from one activity to another without waiting for your assignments.

Your role is to observe children and act as a facilitator, providing guidance and support as needed, but allowing the child to lead the learning process.

#Use hands-on activities

In Montessori teaching children learn by doing instead of listening to a teacher.

So, engage children in hands-on with the materials individually, in pairs or small groups, and use songs and kinesthetic learning to help them learn and practise the concept they’ve learned.

Science and outdoor activities are also important elements of Montessori teaching. So, incorporate those activities while fostering community-building in the classroom.

# Foster a growth mindset

Montessori teaching provides opportunities for children to construct and form their knowledge through the process of discovery.

So, you must value efforts, persistence, and learning from challenges.

Also, encourage children to try again, learn from their mistakes, take initiative, and embrace challenges.

#Promote collaborative play

Encourage children to work together and share their ideas. Incorporate projects, cooperative games, storytelling, and dramatic plays.

Model collaborative behaviour and provide support when needed without interfering.

Also, teach children social skills such as sharing, taking turns, resolving conflicts, and communicating effectively.

Some frequently asked questions

To help you understand Montessori teaching, here are some important frequently asked questions along with the answers and further resources to explore:

Can Montessori principles be applied in non-Montessori schools?

Yes. The Montessori method is now being used in many public and private schools.

Up to what age is the Montessori programme designed?

Most Montessori schools are preschools. Yet, an increasing number of Montessori elementary schools work with children through the sixth grade. There are a few Montessori junior and senior high school programmes.

How are children disciplined in a Montessori programme?

In a Montessori programme the emphasis is on self-discipline. Children have certain freedom to make choices but with limits. They learn how to behave and interact with others and take responsibility for their actions.

What happens to children when they leave a Montessori programme?

Children from a Montessori program usually fit in well wherever they go.  Most of the evidence suggests that the transition to non-Montessori schools is rarely problematic.

Are Montessori classrooms better for all children?

This educational system might be particularly well suited to all children. Yet, those with learning disabilities can benefit more from Montessori teaching.

For example, children with dyslexia might especially benefit from the phonic approach to reading, and children with ADHD might benefit from repetitions, focused concentration, and routines.

Additional resources for Montessori teachers

• The Association Montessori Internationale (AMI)
• The American Montessori Society (AMS)
• Montessori Services

 

References

Cakiroglu Wilbrandt, E. (2013). The art of child education with the Maria Montessori method. Sistem Publishing.

Glenn, C. M. (2003). The longitudinal assessment study (LAS): Eighteen-year follow-up. Final report. ED478792.

Kececioglu, O. (2015). The analysis of social skills of 5-year-old children according to the Republic of Turkiye Ministry of National Education program and Montessori approach they receive. Marmara University Institute of Educational Sciences, [Unpublished Master Thesis], Istanbul.

Kuscu, O., Bozdas, Y., & S. Yildirim Dogru, SS. (2014). Evaluation of the effect of Montessori education in taking responsibility, waiting for turns, and skills on completion of started tasks, Journal of Values Education 12 (27), 307-322.

Oguz, B. U. V., & Akyol, A. K. (2006). Cocuk egitiminde Montessori yaklasimi [Montessori in child education]. Cukurova University Journal of Social Sciences Institute, 15(1), 243-256.

Sop, A., & Turgut, M. D. (2021). Parent’s reasons for choosing Montessori school for their child. Journal of Early Childhood Studies, 5(1), 66-91. https://doi.org/10.24130/eccd-jecs.1967202151229