BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE

JUNE 14, 2022

‘Montessori’ is one of those words we all know, but when it comes to early learning, you might not be so clear on what it actually means for under-fives.  

What we can tell you, for starters, is that although Montessori is an alternative educational approach, it is well-established here and overseas.  

In Australia, at least 268 early childhood centres identify as Montessori, and about 22,000 centres and schools are embracing this approach globally.  

It’s carefully designed with each child in mind, and if you’re curious about what Montessori might offer your cherub, then Mark Powell, Director of Educational Services at Montessori Australia is here to explain the ins and outs of this early education option.  

First, though, a little history… 

Montessori was the brainchild of Dr Maria Montessori, a doctor and educational innovator who started her first school in Italy, back in 1907.  

Dr Montessori had great success with neurodiverse children, then noticed that her ‘hands-on, multi-sensorial, tactile approach to learning’ worked well for other kids, too.  

Nowadays, Montessori education can be found in 110 countries, all the way from Chile to China.  

Mark Powell and daughter Bella. Source: Supplied.

Mr Powell says, “Several countries have adopted the approach as their national education strategy over the last 115 years, and several Australian states almost went that way as well, before World War Two.” 

Dr Montessori designed her educational approach carefully, based on scientific study and direct observations of little learners 

After looking at research about how children learn, and conducting her own research over several decades, she developed the Montessori approach around these key principles: 

• That children build knowledge from their experience in the world 
• Learning is something humans do naturally
• Learning happens best when it isn’t forced, and 
• Children are self-motivated to learn when they’re given lots of appropriate choice. 

 

Dr Montessori wanted to encourage, “A love of freely chosen work,” instead of telling youngsters what to learn, and when. So, Montessori is all about child-led learning, and there’s a big focus on spontaneity and self-determination, even when learners are very little.  

In some ways, Montessori early education is similar to mainstream education, and in other ways, it’s very different 

When it comes to sameness, all quality early learning centres encourage tykes to follow their interests, explore their environment, and be active participants in their own learning.  

And the Montessori Early Years Programme is in line with the approved early learning framework that all services must base their educational program on. 

However, Montessori early learning centres do have a specific educational philosophy and their own way of doing things.  

Most notably: 

• Age groups are mixed in three-year cycles – zero to three years and three to six years for early learners. Mr Powell says, “This means children don’t feel pressure to perform just like another child of exactly the same age.”
• Work cycles are uninterrupted, which gives children as much time as they need to finish their chosen activity, so they can learn to focus their attention. 
• Montessori educates the whole child, so there’s a shared emphasis on the intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual development of children.
• And, last, but definitely not least, under-fives teach themselves using specially prepared Montessori materials in specially organised Montessori classrooms (known as Prepared Environments).  

 

With Montessori, hands-on learning is all-important 

Dr Montessori believed that, “Nothing goes into the mind that does not first go through the hands.” So, Montessori materials are tactile and carefully curated, according to each child’s age and stage. 

They’re designed to:  

• Stimulate children’s minds 
• Encourage exploration, and  
• Inspire logical thought and independent learning. 

 

Montessori materials are beautiful, accessible and easy to use. Enticing colours and feel-good finishes (especially wood) are common, and sequencing is also really important.  

This means materials are presented to each child in a deliberate order, from easiest to hardest, in line with their developmental needs and interests.  

Mr Powell explains that, “This clear structure provides a logical and ordered progression for learning, which in turn, promotes the gradual layering of knowledge. Order in the environment helps to create order in the child’s mind.”  

He says choosing, repeating and practising activities helps under-fives develop their fine motor skills, and it also hones executive functions, like emotional regulation and taking initiative. 

All in all, Montessori materials and classrooms are designed carefully to meet the physical and psychological needs of each individual learner.  

No Montessori service is exactly the same, though 

Every place has its own character and community, and in Australia, Montessori centres are independently owned and operated. 

If you’re interested in seeing the Montessori early education approach in action, then Mr Powell recommends you look for services in your area that are registered with Montessori Australia.  

If a centre is proudly displaying a Montessori Registered™’ logo, you know they’re delivering a quality Montessori program, and he says the following traits also tell you that a centre is offering quality early education, Montessori-style: 

• The physical environment is beautiful, with a feeling of peace 
• There’s a variety of work being done by littlies, and no workbooks or worksheets in sight 
• The children seem relaxed and happy in themselves, and kind and courteous to one another
• Little learners are concentrating hard on their work, and
• Educators seem to be always aware of the whole room, but only intervene when children appear aimless, non-constructive or are bothering others.  

 

If you’d like to learn more about Montessori… 

There’s a wide range of books that delve into this educational approach, for early and older learners, and the Montessori Australia website is helpful, whether you want to brush up on terminology or stock up on toys! 

If you want to know more about how to use Montessori principles in your home, their Positive Discipline Parenting Course may also be of interest.  

Mr Powell says, “You don’t need to be a Montessori mum to use these tools to help bring out the capable, creative and cooperative problem-solver in your little one!”