The Montessori Method of Home SchoolingThe Montessori method of home schooling is both a methodology and educational philosophy. Developed from the work of Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 1900s as a way to educate the poor children in Italy, this style of teaching aims at duplicating natural laws that a child faces in life. Thus the aim of the teacher is to control the environment and not the child. It was observed that children who are left free to interact with their environment developed an innate self-discipline, love for order and natural curiosity. The Montessori method of teaching is especially suitable to the preschooler who wants to do everything by himself. Finding ways in which your child can participate in the cleaning, washing, cooking, gardening and other 'adult' activities sets the perfect backdrop for the learning experience. By providing such opportunities for independence, the child's self-esteem also gets a huge boost. Artistic, cultural and scientific activities abound in the Montessori 3-6 class. There is no TV, junk food, or computer. Material is selected carefully. The child is never forced to work. Instead he is encouraged to do things that interest him, and the teacher picks up the teaching from cues given by the child. The Montessori method focuses on the child's inborn ability to learn from his surroundings. Thus the teacher aims to encourage the natural curiosity of the child. He is never forced to learn or explore. When the child understands why he needs to learn something, he will love the learning process. The goal of Montessori is to provide a stimulating, child-centered environment in which children can explore, touch, and learn without fear, thus engendering a lifelong love of learning as well as providing the child the self-control necessary to fulfill that love. Although a few Montessori schools go through high school level, most are preschool or elementary school programs. It must be remembered that the purpose of education |
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