Montessori Learning, Essay Example

Compared to other learning modalities, the self-directed, self-paced instruction advocated by Maria Montessori allows students to take a more individualized approach to learning that ultimately fosters a higher likelihood of success in their academic interests. This method provides students with more freedom for several reasons. Firstly, the classrooms consist of young children of various ages. As a consequence, children usually socialize with children of many different ages rather than just their own in the classroom, which allows them to learn more from their older peers; these lessons may or may not directly pertain to the specific education goals of the classroom. Next, students are typically allowed to choose their activities, although this choice remains within certain constraints. However, the fact that children are given some choice allows them to direct their learning more frequently than in traditional learning and the children appreciate this freedom which is reflected in their academic performance. Next, this teaching method uses a constructivist rather than “lecture styled” teaching method. This allows the children a hands-on approach to their learning and allows them to make their own decisions, make mistakes, and learn from these mistakes rather than be told what to do. The last aspect of freedom that is a component of the Montessori program is that children are essentially allowed to move freely around the classroom and choose what they would like to study. Although the program requires sometimes that this occurs in uninterrupted blocks, the student is still allowed to make the decision; if he or she finds that the subject is too boring to spend three hours in after selecting to do so, the student will have the freedom to pick a different subject to study for the next block.

As demonstrated, the structured nature of the materials and other aspects of the Montessori approach provides students with more freedom and a sense of security. I would like to teach at a Montessori school because it harnesses student interests at a young age and fosters the want and ability to learn. Montessori students may not be perfect in every subject due to the specifics of this teaching method, but they will be far ahead of their peers in the subject matter that interests them the most.