Maria Montessori

Montessori's method reminds me of my days at kindergarten. As in Montessori's schools, my classroom was arranged according to subjects (cooking, housekeeping, gardening, and a reading corner). Apart from that, we were always free to move around the room isntead of sitting at desks. And there was no limit to how long we could work on something we had chosen.
As a teacher-to-be, I think this is a good method for our educational needs. The Montessori method is philosophically and practically different from other educational methods, and also very different from my personal educational experience, but I'd like to do my best to apply it. I'd like to teach my students how to respect individual differences, and to emphasize education as a way of seing children as they really are. One of the ideas I have in mind when I remember her method is the calm of the environment where children can work with activities of their own choice. Finally, the most important thing about this method is it gives us the opportunity to help children self-construct their minds and personalities.

Contributed by Mariana Fernández

Maria Montessori

Having read about Maria Montessori, I know that her method is very different from the ideas applied at some Argentina´s schools. One of the reasons can be tha way the classroom is organized or the amount of students in each classroom, which sometimes makes things more difficult.

But I find that Montessori method marks similarities with Argentina kindergartens, where classes are not as structured as the ones at primary or high school.

Having looked at the photographs at Montessori sites, I remember the way children sit at kindergarten, the table at which they can interact and share different experiences. They absorb what is in the environment, where the things they learn are forever and true for them.

Another point of similarity is that parents are closer than at any other stage at school. They are really involved and volunteers of any situation. The Montessori method recognizes parents as a child´s first and most influencial teachers so that teacher and parents join together to facilitate the education of the learners.

As a teacher-to-be, I find this method especially interesting. I think it will be enjoyable for the learners and for me too, because they learn through personal experiences and concrete situations. In this way, it is easier to acquire knowledge because they do not know they are learning but they are enjoying coming to school and being part of it.

Maria Montessori said:

"We must help the child to act for himself, will for himself, think for
himself; this is the art for those who aspire to serve the spirit."

As a teacher -to-be this is one of the ideas I want to keep in mind when teaching a learner.