THE MOST RELIABLE SIGN OF A SCHOOL’S ADHERENCE TO MONTESSORI PRINCIPLES IS CERTIFICATION: MONTESSORI TEACHERS ARE TRAINED AND CERTIFIED IN THE MONTESSORI METHOD. Learning objectives are accomplished through experiential, practical and sensory activities in an organized setting.
COMBINING STRUCTURE AND FREEDOM Unlike traditional public or independent schools, Montessori schools operate in different and unique ways. Generally speaking, classrooms are less rigid, and the student, not the teacher, is the focus. Instead of seeing rows of children sitting at desks, you’ll see pupils grouped by age ranges rather than grades, and they’re allowed to work and think independently. Montessori students are given the chance to learn from their own mistakes and grasp concepts at their own pace. Essentially, this comes down to the child learning, understanding and using specific skills, rather than focusing on tests and forgetting that information the moment the exam is finished. Instead of giving a lecture or handing out assignments, teachers work one-on-one with students, providing guidance when necessary, like presenting a new topic or a new challenge to meet when a child is ready. No grades are awarded, and there are no limits on how long a child follows a particular area of interest. At Johns Creek Montessori School of Georgia, children work in one of three classroom community age groups. These groups range from 8 weeks to 15 months, 12 months to 36 months, and 2 and a half to 6 years old. Children are free to explore activities that interest them and may work on as many activities as they like. That mix of freedom and structure allows teachers to pay attention to changes in the development of their students and to adapt their lessons accordingly. It’s an approach that helps students grow not just academically, but personally. Allowing young students to choose the activities that interest them most has led to many misunderstandings about Montessori education—specifically, that it lacks the structure and out-of-school opportunities that
students in public or private schools receive. This couldn’t be further from the truth, says Lucy Bennett, director of communications at Arbor Montessori. “There’s a common misconception that with Montessori education we let them be completely independent; that there’s no discipline or guidance,” she says. “But we give freedom and limits.”
WHOLE-CHILD FOCUS One of the main foundations of the Montessori experience is the concept of educating the whole child. That extends to topics that may not be part of a textbook curriculum. “Maria Montessori observed children
scientifically based on her background and experiences as a doctor,” said Debra Markham, Johns Creek Montessori’s director. “She was not looking at just the academic or cognitive development of the child. She was looking at how a child achieves independence, autonomy and resilience.” Part of that understanding comes from learning and emulating positive character traits such as respectfulness, kindness and helpfulness. “Maria Montessori would say those children already have that,” Markham said. “It’s just they haven’t been given the opportunity. They have not yet become ‘normalized.’ The ‘normalized’ child is their true self. They have
newcomeratlanta.com | Newcomer Magazine | 21
