MONTESSORI EDUCATION

Montessori Education

Montessori education is a method of teaching that emphasizes children’s exploratory skills as a means of guiding their learning. Montessori education takes this method by emphasizing freedom, observation, following the kid, correcting the child, preparing the environment, and capitalizing on the child’s absorbent intellect (Crain, 2011). As a result, the education stresses the child’s independence, where he or she is left to thrive in what he or she is confident in. It encourages parents and teachers to monitor the children while they complete the exercises in order to learn what the youngsters are most interested in. As the child is observed, the teacher follows him/her to establish what draws them to their activities. After following the child closely, the teacher may correct the child by helping them realize their mistakes calmly. After these steps, the teacher may help in creating an environment that is suitable for the child. This is an environment that helps the child learn and capitalizes on various aspects of child development. Last but not least, the teacher focuses on helping the child absorb as much as he/she can through the use of various techniques such As visual aids (Montessori, 2009).

Unfit Child

Montessori education would not be a good fit for a child with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). At first glance, the Montessori education seems like an appropriate fit for these children (Conway, 2016). However, when the structure and environment of the class are taken into consideration, it becomes clear that the Montessori education is not the fit for these children. The Montessori education is child centered. The teacher follows the child as they help them learn. Children with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder have issues focusing on one activity. They tend to get distracted easily (U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, 2017). A Montessori classroom can provide a lot of distracting elements for such a child. As a result, the child is likely to keep engaging in several activities but finishing none. This becomes a big challenge for the teacher since he (the teacher) is supposed to follow the child. The experience becomes unproductive for the child in the long run.

Empirical Evidence

Currently, there has been little research that has been done on the effectiveness of Montessori education on Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). As a matter of fact, there is little research on the effectiveness of Montessori education on children and which children are best suited for it. However, researchers generally agree that Montessori education is helpful for children. In some cases, they speculate that it produces better students in areas of independence and social spheres. However, this is controversial as there are those who despite these claims and claim that Montessori education offers no significant advantage over regular classrooms. As a matter of fact, they claim that it is unnatural and can lead to poor performance among the boy child who prefers a loud and dynamic environment. With regards to Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder children, most experts agree that Montessori education can help to some point. Beyond this point, it becomes a liability (Pebblecreekmontessori.org, 2016).

Opinion

In my opinion, the Montessori approach to teaching is effective. This is particularly true as far as presenting a new and dynamic environment to the child is concerned. However, similar to many concepts and theories, it has its limitations. One such limitation is dealing with children with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Works Cited

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. (2017). ldonline.org.

Retrieved January 06, 2017, from Teaching Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Instructional Strategies and Practices: http://www.ldonline.org/article/8797/

Conway. (2016, June 10). The ADHD Child and the Montessori Classroom. Retrieved January

06, 2017, from owlcation.com: https://owlcation.com/social-sciences/adhdandmontessori

Crain, W. (2011). Theories of development:Concepts and applications (6th ed.). Upper Saddle

River: NJ:Pearson Prentice Hall.

Montessori. (2009). The Montessori Method. Wilder Publications.

Pebblecreekmontessori.org. (2016, April 08). Helping ADHD with Montessori Education.

Retrieved January 06, 2017, from pebblecreekmontessori.org: http://www.pebblecreekmontessori.org/lower-elementary-program/helping-adhd-with-montessori-education/