Thoughts from our veteran Montessori expert, Marie Scott, on the philosophies of Maria Montessori and the experience of implementing them in Nicaragua, at School of Louise's Dreams...

The Montessori Method, developed over 100 years ago by Dr. Maria Montessori, is based on observation. Dr. Montessori observed what children needed at certain levels of development and set about meeting these needs with a special type of education. The curriculum grew from these observations and is child-centered, rather than imposed by adult propensities. For example, the very young child says, “I want to do it by myself.”

To meet this urge, adults show the child how to be self-sufficient in the area we call Practical Life (La Vida Practica). In this area, the children are helped to develop their ability to move with concentration and co-ordination; to take care of themselves; to care for their immediate environment; and how to show courtesy and respect to others.

Besides meeting the young child’s desire for independence, these activities (emphasis on activity, not passive learning) prepare the child for further development, leading to areas of higher learning, developing and refining the senses, always using multisensory, hands-on materials.

The four main areas of curriculum for the young child are: Practical Life; Sensorial development; Mathematics; and Language. Art and Music are a large part of the curriculum, as are science and cultural studies as the child gets older.

Implementing these techniques in Nicaragua, at School of Louise's Dreams, has proven a very interesting and rewarding experience. The traditional teaching practices, of rote learning, are a stark contrast to the participatory and active learning methods utilized by the Montessori community. Coming to understand, accept, and practice these skills has been a slow but ultimately successful endeavor by the teachers at our school. Read more about School of Louise's Dreams and our work there at www.therighttolearn.org/welcometoourschool2.