Debunking Montessori Criticism and Myths
In the year 1907, Dr. Maria Montessori introduced a revolutionary pedagogical tool that takes account of holistic development in children.
The Montessori method of education is a pedagogical tool that focuses on inculcating valuable lessons, with the help of auto-didactic education, hands-on learning, and collaborative play.
The Montessori Method and Montessori Principles help mold the pupils into well-rounded individuals who become a contributing part of the home environment, school environment as well as society.
At present, there are more than 7,000 Montessori institutions worldwide. These institutions incorporate Dr. Maria Montessori’s unique Montessori Philosophy, Montessori Principles, and Montessori Environment that help children develop to their optimum potential.
With all the fun and exciting and distinctive features of the Montessori method, there are still several questions about the sustainability as well as the eccentricity of the Montessori Method.
These questions are more specifically asked by those individuals who are unfamiliar with the world of Montessori.
When the confusions and questions about the Montessori Method are not enough, there are certain schools and institutions that often regard themselves as Montessori but do not practice the method which can cause more debate among Montessori beginners.
Here are some common Montessori myths, criticisms, misconceptions, and confusions debunked.
Contents
Are Montessori Schools Bad?
Montessori schools and the Montessori Method of education program as a whole is an effective as well as innovative approach for developing minds.
This method of education focuses on the individual growth and development of the child.
The Question of whether Montessori Schools are bad for your child or not is debatable and completely subjective.
Several children across the globe have benefited from this unique pedagogical tool as it allows children to learn, work, and develop at their own pace.
While there are about 7000 Montessori schools across the world, these institutions are not everyone’s cup of tea due to drawbacks like high tuition, loose curriculum, and lack of availability in certain areas.
Montessori Classrooms are Chaotic:
Due to the fact that children are encouraged to participate in auto-didactic education, most individuals believe that Montessori Classrooms can be chaotic.
But this is far from the truth, the reality is the Montessori Classroom is a noisy and busy place where noises often represent children indulging in productive activities.
Unlike traditional educational institutions where children are bound to a desk and chair, Montessori schools promote them to indulge in hands-on activities to learn through their experiences.
Children are also promoted to collaborate in group-based activities where they can discuss and learn together.
Montessori Schools are Unregulated:
Another criticism regarding the Montessori Method is that the Montessori institutions and Montessori schools are Unregulated and disorganized.
This myth or criticism might arise from the fact that the Montessori Method promotes independent learning or auto-didactic education through systematically developed Daily Schedules and Uninterrupted Work Cycles.
However, this is not the case. A Montessori Classroom environment is systematically prepared and is equipped with a wide range of Montessori Materials that facilitate effective education for young minds.
While children are given enough freedom to explore their surroundings, maneuver different materials, and interact with each other, they are also guided as well as redirected by Montessori teachers.
Montessori Classrooms don’t have a curriculum:
The Montessori method gives children the freedom to indulge in activities of their choice and manipulate the materials they want. Most individuals deem the Montessori Method to be loose when it comes to its curriculum.
But this is not the truth, in reality, the Montessori Method of education integrates several Montessori programs that follow systematic guidelines, the classroom follows organized schedules, and performs guided activities throughout the day.
The Montessori Method is only for preschoolers:
Even though the Montessori method was initially designed to facilitate education to children at the preschool level, in the contemporary world this is far from true.
In the year 1920, Dr. Maria Montessori felt the need to expand her educational tool for other planes of development ranging to children at the age of adolescence.
The method promotes children to assess their own progress and fall in love with the process of education.
Montessori Teachers Do Not Teach:
In a Montessori School teachers are referred to as directress or director. The Montessori Method of education is a student-centric educational tool where the teacher is rarely the center of attention.
However, it does not mean that the teachers just observe the children play around the classroom.
A Montessori teacher is a highly trained professional who is trained to nurture and educate your child based on Montessori Principles.
Montessori Teachers have to prepare and present Montessori Materials, build appropriate relationships to help nurture the child, as well as allow the child to freely explore their surroundings while keeping a close eye.
Montessori Schools: all play no work:
The main idea of The Montessori Method is that the children learn as they play. Dr. Maria Montessori created a curriculum where children were given the freedom to explore their surroundings and learn through collaborative play.
But the Montessori Method of education is more than just play. The Montessori Activities and Montessori Materials provided to the children are meticulously designed to develop their gross motor skills, and fine motor skills, as well as promote cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development.
Hence, the Montessori Method should not be described as “play” but rather as experiential or holistic education.
Children from Montessori Schools are not fully prepared for standardized tests:
This is another myth surrounding Montessori is, that it does not prepare children for standardized tests but this is not true.
Studies show that children from Montessori institutions do significantly better than those who are from traditional institutions.
The Montessori Method of education promotes children to study in a mixed-age level class where children have the opportunity to have social interactions with people of different ages be they older or younger.
A mixed-age level classroom helps children coordinate, collaborate, and transition smoothly to new environments.
Montessori Schools are Old Fashioned:
The Montessori method of education is a century-old pedagogical that is criticized to be “old-fashioned” by most individuals.
The materials and apparatus used in the Montessori method spark the child’s natural curiosity and explore their surrounding environment regardless of the obstacles they might face.
There are more than 7,000 Montessori institutions around the globe that still utilize these materials and apparatus. The Montessori materials continue to facilitate effective education for children regardless of the changing times and technology.
Mixed Age Level Classes can be Confusing:
People who are not equipped with enough knowledge about the Montessori world often regard the Montessori classrooms to be confusing.
But this is far from the truth, instead, the Montessori mixed-age level classroom can help older children learn how to empathize and become role models for younger children.
Montessori Students are Intellectually Behind other Students:
Lastly, Children in Montessori schools learn complex as well as abstract concepts in an isolated form with the help of Montessori materials and Montessori activities.
This helps children build a fundamental foundation of the concepts and comprehend intimate details about the concepts.
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