MARIA MONTESSORI Biographical Information 1870 1952 first Italian

MARIA MONTESSORI

Biographical Information • 1870 -1952 • first Italian woman physician • interest in mental retardation - especially those institutionalized and lacking normal educational experiences • followed the methodologies of Seguin: – developmentally challenged children interested in sensory stimulation and physical activity – Montessori used a variety of tasks which were concrete (i. e. involved manipulation of objects, etc. ) • bore a child out of wedlock • 1907 - created a school in Rome for poor children – completely successful by 1913 (but not accepted by mainstream educators) – forgotten by 1918 – resurgence of interest in her work during the 1960's

Theoretical Foundations • theoretical work similar to Rousseau: – focus on self-learning of children – belief that the thinking patterns of children are different from those of adults • sensitive period concept: – genetically-based – apply both to cognitive and physical abilities – children are innately inclined to focus on these activities. . . to stop them from doing so, negatively affects development

MARIA MONTESSORI • SENSITIVE PERIODS

Sensitive Periods • The Sensitive Period for Order – first 3 years of life – notion that children like to "put things in their place" • • e. g. crying six-month-old who was concerned that an umbrella should not be left on the table. . . rather it should be put in the umbrella rack The Sensitive Period for Details – between 1 and 2 years – focus on small details as opposed to the larger picture: • • • e. g. insects e. g. background information in pictures The Sensitive Period for the Use of Hands – between 18 months and 3 years – focus on activities done with the hands: • • • e. g. opening/shutting containers e. g. placing things into and taking them out of containers The Sensitive Period for Walking – no exact date given – focus on walking for the sheer pleasure of the act of walking: • • e. g. repetition of going up and down the stairs The Sensitive Period for Language – from birth to 2/3 years – focus on learning the meaning and grammar of one (or more) languages • • • language learning seems to be unconscious (therefore making it possible for young child to learn several languages) physical experience (as opposed to mental) gone by age 3 – learning order is not incremental. . . sometimes great, sometimes plateau – 3 years - change from unconscious language learning to conscious – ability to talk is secure before the start of school

Chelsea Film • Remember the lessons we learned regarding “sensitive periods” of brain development – “windows of opportunity” in the Sixty Minutes film clip we watched in class

MARIA MONTESSORI • SENSITIVE PERIODS • INDEPENDENT MASTERY • CHILD ORIENTED/CHILD DIRECTED • GRADUAL PREPARATION. . . BY DOING

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand. ~ Chinese proverb

MARIA MONTESSORI • SENSITIVE PERIODS • INDEPENDENT MASTERY • CHILD ORIENTED/CHILD DIRECTED • GRADUAL PREPARATION. . . BY DOING • TEACHER AS FACILITATOR ONE CANNOT BE FREE IF ONE IS NOT INDEPENDENT