Successfully applied to many cultures over the past century, the Montessori method is recognized worldwide for its ability to develop each child’s full potential through its psychological approach and educational values. Today, the Montessori method is the most widespread educational approach worldwide, and the concepts of childcare facilities based on this approach are multiplying.
Pedagogy, activity, workshops, layout, furniture... What is the Montessori method, and how can it be implemented in a host institution?
The Montessori approach at the service of the development of autonomy.
What is the Montessori method?
What is Montessori pedagogy?
An alternative education method, the Montessori method favors self-confidence, autonomy, experimentation, and respect for everyone’s learning rhythm. This pedagogy is based on the scientific observations and discoveries of Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and pedagogue.
At the end of the nineteenth century, Maria Montessori carefully observed children from various cultural backgrounds and prepared activities for them to promote their development. In particular, she discovered that children are endowed with universal capacities that enable them to acquire knowledge. They can better develop their faculties if they evolve in a prepared environment.
Forging a being in its entirety
Maria Montessori's philosophy places the child as an actor in his own life: he is responsible for his actions and has all the keys to success. Our role as adults is to create an environment that promotes awakening one's senses, openness to the world, and developing one's faculties. And to accompany him in his journey with great respect for his pace of learning.
Montessori pedagogy is a global approach that aims to forge a human being in his entirety and on every level: physical, social, and spiritual. Its objective is to accompany the child to build himself fully and autonomously and become a conscious, responsible, and confident adult.
Foundations of Montessori pedagogy
The main principles of the Montessori method
Dr. Montessori identified five stages of development, of which the period between birth and six years would be the most important of life:
- 0 to 3 years: the spiritual embryo; The absorbent mind
- 3 to 6 years: absorbent mind; sensitive periods; Standardization
- 6 to 12 years: of childhood
- 12 to 15 years: puberty
- 15 to 18 years: adolescence
His method is a comprehensive approach that considers five dimensions of the child, which concern different characteristics: physical, intellectual, social, spiritual, and emotional. All of these dimensions are taken into account by Montessori pedagogy.
The place of desire to learn is essential in this philosophy which considers that the individual acts by himself to know because he is motivated by a natural curiosity and the love of knowledge. This approach will ensure that the desire to learn is cultivated while ensuring that we know the child's development, feelings, and reaction to learning.
Why choose the Montessori method?
The main advantage of this method is that it is designed to help children establish an idea of completeness by allowing them to work at their own pace and discover the best way for them.
It should be borne in mind, however, that Montessori pedagogy is not limited to an academic goal: it extends to a lifestyle that can suggest many modifications to the home environment or parenting method.
This approach has undeniable advantages for the child’s development but may also suggest some disadvantages. Here are a few of them:
Layout, activities: how to create a Montessori nursery?
Furnishing and furniture
To align with the educational principles of the Montessori approach, the layout of a nursery and the choice of materials must take into account certain principles. These include:
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Everything must be accessible.
The nursery layout must allow children to move freely while ensuring safety and easy access to equipment during the various activities. Examples: equipment at child height, NIDO (nap space for babies) equipped with mattresses on the floor ... -
The layout must promote movement.
In the growth phase, the child needs movement to learn and memorize certain concepts more quickly. In the Montessori approach, physical and mental are closely linked, and the environment is prepared to make the child as independent as possible in his movements.
Montessori activities
The child must manipulate, experiment, and use his senses to learn. In the Montessori approach, activities, games, and toys favor the concrete over the abstract and allow the child to observe, learn and understand.
Dr. Maria Montessori has developed tools and activities to invite children to practice meaningful activities. Each of these equipment and games refers to a particular faculty (motor, cognitive ...) to allow the child to learn naturally.
In a school or nursery adapted from the Montessori concept, this type of material is intended to meet all the child’s development needs which are made available to them. It offers activities that focus on experiential learning, sensory awakening, and experimentation.
Example of the development of a Montessori nursery
HABA, alongside nurseries and Montessori schools
Expert in developing structures dedicated to early childhood, HABA uses expertise developed over 80 years to design furniture, games, and toys that promote the awakening and development of children.
Ranges developed in support of the Montessori method
Anchored in today's educational challenges, HABA has developed product ranges in support of the most recognized pedagogies, including the Montessori method and Froebel or Reggio Emilia pedagogies.
Developed with specialists in these methods, our facilities and products respect the educational values of these pedagogies: equipment at the child’s height, free access to the play area, and furniture allowing the free evolution of the child.
Facilities designed for children's development
Maria Montessori based her educational approach on the observation that children can have significant autonomy if they benefit from a prepared environment. The HABA line of conduct is in line with this principle, which places the child as the responsible actor in his own life and establishes that we must prepare him for an environment favorable to his success.
Our mission? Design spaces, games, and toys designed to enable children to become autonomous, responsible, and resourceful beings. Promote the awakening of the child's senses, openness to the world, and the development of his faculties through products designed for this purpose.
The products respect the rhythm of each child: they offer stimulations adapted to each age and the developmental faculties of each child. Developed with early childhood specialists, they meet the learning needs of children as a whole: cognitive, emotional, and motor skills, etc.
Montessori activities to develop all the skills of the child