|
Principle |
Application in the Montessori Environment |
| Work with the hands | The hands are the path to the brain. At every stage, the children should be free to create, to build. The classroom should have many activities and materials for them to work with, and supplies such as pencils, paper, scissors, glue, rulers, etc. should be available. |
| Multi-age groups | Children should be grouped by their stage, because within one stage the children have a lot in common.
0-3 , 3-6 / 6-9, 9-12 / 12-15, 15-18 Older students have the responsibility to help the younger ones. Younger ones will look up to the older one. This results in an environment with more cooperation than competition. The teacher works with small groups of children at the same level but maybe not at the same age. This also means that children who are quick can learn things earlier, and those who need more time can take the time they need. |
| The Freedoms | This is an essential part of Montessori!!Without freedom, children cannot fully and completely develop and become strong. |
| The freedom to choose | They should be able to choose what they want to work on, follow what their interests are. But this is within limits. They donothave the freedom to hurt others, do unsafe things, or damage things. This freedom requires responsibility. The adult must check the situation, and if the child does not use the freedom properly, the freedom should be taken away. |
| The freedom to make mistakes | Children learn most from their own mistakes. If a child is not allowed to make mistakes, and is always told what to do, he will not become strong in their own abilities and confidence. |
| The freedom to work without unnecessary help | Also here, if a child is helped to do something that they can do by themselves, they will start to believe that they are not capable. They cannot become strong and confident if someone is always helping them too much. |
| The freedom to work without interruption | A child who is concentrating and working should be given the same respect as someone who is praying. If they are working, we should not interrupt them, even to give compliments or praise. |
| Responsibility | All children, even small ones, should be given real and productive tasks, such as jobs in the classroom, or helping younger students, or working on committees. This is important for them to become strong, confident and independent. |
| Grace and Courtesy | The Montessori environment should be a place of dignity and hospitality. The children should take care of guests, use proper greetings, and be polite with each other too. |
| Respect, Compassion and Kindness | The Montessori environment should be a place of respect. Teachers must respect the children, children respect the adults, older children respect the younger ones, and younger ones respect the older ones.
It must be a place of compassion and caring for each other. |