University Report: Montessori Method and its Educational Approach

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the Montessori Method, a child-centered educational approach developed by Maria Montessori. It explores the method's core principles, including the role of the teacher as a guide and the emphasis on self-directed learning through hands-on activities. The report discusses the main proponents of the method and its theoretical links, contrasting it with traditional teaching methods. Key strategies for teaching, learning, and assessment are examined, highlighting the importance of a positive learning environment and child-centric evaluation methods. The report also covers strategies for planning, reflection, goals, and outcomes, emphasizing the development of independence, self-confidence, and a love of learning in children. The report concludes by summarizing the method's focus on the holistic development of the child, emphasizing the creation of a stimulating and supportive environment that fosters curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.

Running head: MONTESSORI METHOD AND ITS APPROACH
Montessori Method and its approach
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1MONTESSORI METHOD AND ITS APPROACH
Executive summary:
Montessori Method is one of the most practiced child-centric methods. This method is based
on observation on the natural development of a child. In this method, the teacher plays the
role of a guide, and the children learn by experiencing. The classroom has many activities set
up and the children are free to choose one on their own. The assessment of progression is also
child-centric, as it is not concerned with academics. The aim of the report is to discuss the
functionality of Montessori Method.

2MONTESSORI METHOD AND ITS APPROACH
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Discussion..................................................................................................................................3
Main Proponents and date of Conception:.............................................................................3
Theoretical links:....................................................................................................................4
Key strategies for teaching, learning and assessment:...........................................................4
Key strategies for planning and reflection:............................................................................5
Goals and outcomes:..............................................................................................................5
Image of the child in Montessori Method:.............................................................................6
Conclusion:................................................................................................................................6

3MONTESSORI METHOD AND ITS APPROACH
Introduction
Dr Maria Montessori developed the Montessori Method of child-cantered education.
This approach on education is very popular amongst the parents and the educators. This
method has been used for over hundred years in the whole world.
The Montessori Method is extremely scientific as it is based on the logical
observation of a child’s development in a proper and natural environment (Ahmadpour, &
Mujembari, 2015).
The purpose of the report is to understand the key theoretical strategies of the
Montessori Method of education.
Discussion
Main Proponents and date of Conception:
Even from starting, Dr. Montessori based her method by observing the
children’s development and experimenting with the learning environment. Dr Montessori
opened Casa dei Bambini (Children’s home) her first classroom for children in
1907(Ahmadpour, & Mujembari, 2015).
The first proponent of her work on scientific pedagogy was the Franchetti couple,
Alice Franchetti and Leopold Franchetti. Alice Franchetti and Maria Montessori worked
together for two years and developed “Method Franchetti-Montessori” (Ültanir, 2012).
Many famous educators and personalities like Helen Keller, Jean Piaget, and
Mahatma Gandhi supported the Montessori Method of education.

4MONTESSORI METHOD AND ITS APPROACH
Theoretical links:
The classical method of teaching was teacher based. The traditional method of
teaching was common in every country and was based on the transfer of knowledge from
teacher to student. The traditional method was based on the approach of preparing student s
for life. The school was treated as a complete different part of the society (Montessori, 2013).
In Montessori Method, the teacher behaves more like a guiding force in students’ life.
In Montessori Method, the school is regarded as the part of the whole society and is focussed
on teaching the students the social matters. The foundation of the Montessori approach is
based on the unique traits of every student (Montessori, 2013).
Key strategies for teaching, learning and assessment:
As the Montessori Method is a child-centric teaching method, the main strategy of –
confident this method is to make the children independent so that the child can be self-
confident and can carry forward the self-belief and esteem throughout their life (Lillard,
2016).
The Montessori Method is based on observation and learning pattern of the children.
The method is based on the observation on the children’s interest. The role of the teacher
would be of a guide who drives the children to excellence. To make the children’s absorbent
mind to learn positively the teacher has to make the teaching environment positive
(Montessori, 2013).
As the Montessori Method an outcome-based teaching-learning method, it requires
assessment which is based on activities such as oral presentation, projects and portfolios
made by the students (Ültanir, 2012).

5MONTESSORI METHOD AND ITS APPROACH
Key strategies for planning and reflection:
The main principle of the Montessori Method is to follow the child. The key strategy
of Montessori Method allows the child to be independent. This makes the child to enjoy the
fruit of self-discovery (Lillard, 2016). The teachers plan to make the children free to choose
their own activity. The children are exposed to many forms of fine arts like music, drama and
language.
The primary goal would be to enhance the children’s sense to enjoy the natural
wonder. The main goal of this method is not concerned with academics. This method is more
concerned with the happiness of the children (Huxel, 2013).
Goals and outcomes:
Dr. Maria Montessori based her approach of children’s education on the independence
of children to make the children to achieve their goals on their own. This approach is
achieved by providing the children with opportunities to prove themselves. This makes sure
that they acquire self-belief, self-confidence and self-esteem.
Dr. Montessori learned about children by observing them and developed her theories
on these observations (Huxel, 2013). She came into conclusion that, to have proper
education, the child is needed to do exactly that activity he or she was interested in. Another
method to better the learning outcome is to correct the child. The approach of the teacher
should be to involve the children in the process of correcting themselves rather than blatantly
pointing out the mistake (Lillard, 2012).
In Montessori Method, the classroom is child friendly with many set-ups to influence
the children to do the activities and allow freedom to choose what to do. Another goal of the
Montessori Method is to make the children experience the environment as the children under
the age of three can absorb everything they experience (Huxel, 2013). To make their

6MONTESSORI METHOD AND ITS APPROACH
experience good enough to provide good learning outcome, it is very important to make their
environment positive (Isaacs, 2014).
Image of the child in Montessori Method:
The child should be happy. The main strategy of Montessori Method is child-centric
(Gestwicki, 2013). This makes this method less concerned with the academics of the child
and more concerned with the natural inclination of the child towards any activity of their
choice. The Montessori Method lets the child free to choose any activity and leads them to
enjoy the self-learning (Isaacs, 2014).
Conclusion:
The Montessori Method helps the children to experience and enjoy the the real life.
The classroom entertains the children by doing activities to help them focussing on the
simulator concepts which is based on the concrete object. The Montessori Method considers
this and focuses on the all-over development of the child

7MONTESSORI METHOD AND ITS APPROACH
References:
Ahmadpour, N., & Mujembari, A. K. (2015). The impact of Montessori teaching method on
IQ levels of 5-year old children. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 205, 122-
127.
Gestwicki, C. (2013). Developmentally appropriate practice: Curriculum and development in
early education. Cengage Learning.
Huxel, A. C. (2013). Authentic Montessori: The Teacher Makes the Difference. Montessori
Life: A Publication of the American Montessori Society, 25(2), 32-34.
Isaacs, B. (2014). Bringing the Montessori approach to your early years practice. Routledge.
Lillard, A. S. (2012). Preschool children's development in classic Montessori, supplemented
Montessori, and conventional programs. Journal of School Psychology, 50(3), 379-
401.
Lillard, A. S. (2016). Montessori: The science behind the genius. Oxford University Press.
Montessori, M. (2013). The montessori method. Transaction publishers.
Ültanir, E. (2012). An Epistemologic Glance at the Constructivist Approach: Constructivist
Learning in Dewey, Piaget, and Montessori.