Maria Montessori was clearly ahead of her time in her profound understanding of the nature of children – and in what children need to support their development and life long love of learning.
Montessori was prescient in describing children from the age of birth to six as having an “absorbent mind”. Science now confirms that during these years the brain’s neural circuits are expanding exponentially, forming the bulk of an individual’s capacity. Based on Montessori’s groundbreaking work, we now recognize that children, from a very early age, can be supported to develop what today’s researchers are calling essential 21st century skills: independence, focus, creativity, critical thinking, the capacity to frame and ask questions, and resilience in the face of challenge.
Montessori, a scholar in biology, psychiatry, anthropology and medicine (M.D, Rome, 1896) built her a system of education on the child’s natural curiosity, desire for movement, sensory stimulation and independence. Contrary to tradition, but inspired by children’s innate capabilities she provided children with the opportunity to be active, as opposed to rote learners. She created materials that were not only attractive and engaging; the materials themselves provided instant feedback. Children could self-correct without adult assistance …strengthening individual agency and self-esteem.
Additionally, she recognized that individual children learn in distinctive ways and develop along singular timeframes. There is no such thing as “one size fits all” in Montessori. The Guide’s (teacher’s) responsibility for helping each child achieve key milestones is to have an intimate understanding of how each child learns and is progressing through the highly structured Montessori curriculum.
