The Pedagogic Corner: Maria Montessori and Helen Doron - part 3
What is Montessori?
Some people may seem astounded to hear that infants are going to Helen Doron classes to learn a foreign language; however this is nothing new from Maria Montessori's viewpoint. She greatly encouraged exposing the child to two or more languages as early as possible, which any bi-lingual parent will confirm is guaranteed to be a success. In recent years, research has shown that not only do children learn acquired skills, such as languages, maths etc. much faster the earlier they begin but while doing so the brain connections are stimulated in a way that enhances the child's whole development giving them an almost miraculous head start in many other fields as well. I have heard Helen quoting Glenn Doman (the famous brain specialist from the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential) with the words “Use is or lose it”, to stress the importance of this unique early learning phase. I am glad to see that ever-increasing numbers of people are availing of this gift and that HD's method is steadily growing not just in Europe but also worldwide.
Where are the overlapping similarities in both methods?
- Most Montessori classes I have come across have fewer pupils (15-18) in comparison to normal schools groups and are supervised by 2 teachers. This ensures individual attention and possible integration of children with special needs. HD groups are kept small, a maximum of 8 children to 1 teacher.
- Both MM and HD encourage mixed aged groups to support the socialisation process and entice model learning.
- The teacher in both cases represents a strong role model for the children - they know you reap what you sow!
- HD teachers are obliged to attend ongoing seminars each year to accommodate their pedagogical needs and the needs of the children entrusted to them.
- Using the 'sensitive periods', especially from ages 0-8, when the brain is absorbing at its fastest, is a priority for both systems.
- HD lessons are conducted in a prepared homely environment with structure, lots of movement, language, music and song.
- In both, MM's as well as HD's method, concrete examples are introduced before any abstract symbols, whether in language or Maths e.g. flashcards or objects precede written words or numbers.
- Repetition is the key to success. MM quotes: “It is in the repetition of the exercise that the education of the senses consists.” HD's method offers the child repetitive hearing of the new language, even outside the class, with the aid of CDs which are recommended to be played twice daily (for about 20 minutes) as background hearing in the home environment. These sounds are first unconsciously absorbed and then within a few weeks of classes are consciously being imitated and shortly afterwards through flashcards, interaction and games are fully understood. The younger the child is, the better. This is similar to how we learn our mother tongue; that's why some people refer to it as the 'mother tongue method': hearing, absorbing, imitating, understanding.
- Both systems put the child's well being in the foreground. Achievements are not graded but guided and encouraged according to the given pace of their development.
- What is Montessori? - part 1
- What is Montessori? - part 2
- What is Montessori? - part 3
- What is Montessori? - part 4