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Montessori schools are based on the teaching of Maria Montessori (1870-1952), an Italian doctor.
This system of education is based on the child's developmental need for freedom, within limits, in a carefully prepared environment that guarantees exposure to didactic (intended to teach) material and experiences, aimed at developing their intelligence and their physical and psychological abilities.
Children of mixed age groups and mixed abilities work together through a series of three-year cycles: three to six years of age, six to nine years, nine to 12 years and 12 to 15 years. The teacher's role is that of a facilitator rather than the traditional "authority" figure.
Su Cunningham, programme director of Headstart Mercy Montessori in Cape Town, explains that children in Montessori classes learn at their own pace and according to their own choice of activities from many different possibilities.
"Learning therefore becomes an exciting process of discovery, which leads to concentration, motivation, selfdiscipline and a love of learning.
"We show children that they are capable. We teach the children the skills they need before we ask them to do anything complicated, so the child never feels threatened. They always go from the known into the unknown."
What to bear in mind
This means that children who attend a Montessori preschool are likely to attend a more mainstream primary school, which may cause problems. However, many of the skills which Montessori encourages, such as self-motivation, work very well in an Outcomes Based Education (OBE) environment.
Battling to choose a school for your kids? Check out these articles on the different SA schooling systems:
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| hello Sam
I believe I will be seeing you shortly! However, to answer this question on schooling (electricity has just come back on & I am not sure how I got onto this site, anyway, its interesting & its 10 to 5!!!) I could'nt agree more with you...the fact that I did well at school is still a miracle to me, as I was also bored & read in the back of the class most days...except for one or two teachers who made their subject fun & interesting. Fear of failure was the motive to study at that point too. My boys both went to MOntessori pre-schools for 3 - 4 years before, mainstream gov. schools. At that point they were very eager to go to big school & had a real sparkle in their eyes & a 'world, here I am" kinda atitude. Within a few months my eldest son lost this eagerness to read or learn & a dullness came into his eyes. He has never really recovered the same passion he had for preschool...he also does school everyday, because he has to & can't wait to leave. How very sad...what will he do one-day, because so much importance is placed on great grades for varsity entrance etc. As a single mom, to home school is not an option for me at the moment & nor are the very expensive private schools...I have to try & consol myself with the thought that many very successful people, hated school & many even failed a standard. They found their niche later in life, if they were lucky!Bye! |
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| Dalene on 06 Feb at 16:58 |
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