The Montessori Method arose from observing how children with behavioral issues and learning challenges behaved in a natural setting. By the time Montessori schools became available to all private kindergarten children, Maria Montessori's methods had already become well-established. Over the years, less focus was put on the prepared environment's impact on special children, but the effectiveness of the system has remained.
The Prepared EnvironmentFor most children, including those with mild-to-moderate autism, a Montessori prepared environment is an aid to effective learning. Children look for stability and consistency in their lives, and providing a controlled environment where things are always where they should be is often soothing. This pre-planned workspace facilitates children moving freely between tasks and helps each child focus on the lessons provided by the activity. The Social EnvironmentA Montessori classroom is a social environment. Instead of children remaining at their desks as they would in a traditional school setting, they are allowed to move about freely, interact with fellow students, and work on activities singly, in pairs, or as a group. This encourages shy children or those with limited communication abilities to participate in subtle social skills that will help them learn and grow. Play-Based LearningMontessori activities are designed to be enjoyable. Maria Montessori observed that children at play are also engaged in developing a host of academic, emotional, physical, intellectual, and social skills. For that reason, authentic Montessori activities are always play-based, durable, and self-correcting. Many activities can be used in different types of lessons, such as vocabulary, math, and science. More Personalized instructionSince Montessori activities are self-teaching, the teachers-- commonly referred to as guides-- are able to focus more time on individual teaching. Children who learn at different paces can receive the extra help they need to master troublesome concepts without holding the entire class back until the lesson has been absorbed. This benefits all of the kids because the quick-learning children can immediately move to more challenging subjects, or help the other children catch up. Montessori is more than a good environment for children with learning disabilities. It is an educational system that is based on the natural order of childhood development and was originally created to assist troubled children to attain a better, more successful early education. Montessori is applied to teaching children of all ages and aptitudes today, but its roots are firmly tied to helping children who struggle with learning become everything that they can be.
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