ASSIGNMENT # 01
KIRAN FATIMA | D16092
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Question 1: Discuss life and works of Dr. Maria Montessori and why is she
referred to as a lady much ahead of her time?
Life and works of Dr.Maria Montessori:
Dr.Maria Montessori is recognized as the founder of Montessori Method
and one of the pioneers in the development of early childhood education.
She is also respected for promoting a considerable number important
educational reforms.
Dr. Maria Montessori was born on 31st August 1870 to an educational
middle class family in Areona, Italy. Her father Alessandro Montessori
was a conservative military man. On the other hand, her mother, Renidle
Montessori, was a liberal lady and supported Maria throughout her
educational carrier.
At that time people were very conservative in their attitude towards and treatment of women.
Despite of many opposition from society Montessori pursued medical and scientific education and
graduated with highest honors from the Medical School of the University of Rome. She became
the first physician in Italy in 1896. Thus Montessori holds the title of being the first lady doctor in
the history of Italy.
Works with Special children:
At that time only three traditional role was open for women. Working with children, home making
or the convent. She was unwilling to enter education, But the irony is that she became best known
for her contributions in education.
In 1900, Montessori was appointed director of the new Orthophrenic School attached to the
University of Rome, it was the municipal asylum for “deficient and insane” (special) children of
the city.
After spending some time with these children Montessori discovered that her young patients
needed purposeful activities, which would stimulate their senses and mind and add into their self-
esteem and sense of achievement.
Itard (1775-1838) and Edouard Seguin (1812-1880):
During that time she got also inspired by the work of two French doctors of the 18 th and 19th
centuries: Jean-Marc-Gaspard Itard (1775-1838) and Edouard Seguin (1812-1880). Itard was well
known for his work with the “wild boy of Aveyron” a young boy who was found by hunters
wandering in the forest naked. The boy was lost or abandoned and thus spent many years of his
life alone in the forest, the boy could not speak and lacked almost all the skills of everyday life the
boy had grown up outside of human kind without any interaction of his own kind through this itard
observed the influence of environment.
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The Orthopedic School:
Montessori took the idea of scientific approach, based on observation and experimentation. She
belong to the child study school of thought. She studied her mentally disabled patients with utmost
observation and focus. She kept on trying Segun educational method, and carefully noted their
response as well as their progress. She almost startled the whole world when many of these
mentally disabled children after two years were able to pass the standardized exam given by the
Italian public school and this also help them to perform everyday tasks. Through this she observed
that if she could attain such results with children that are disabled, schools should be able to get
dramatically better results with normal children.
Casa dei Bambini:
In 1907 she was asked to direct a day-care center
in a housing project in the slum section of San
Lorenzo, Italy. The first day care center name
Casa dei Bambini (house of
children). Montessori accepted, seeing this as her
opportunity to begin her work with normal
children.
She was to have the care of fifty children between
the ages of 3-7 while their illiterate parents were
working. At the beginning, they have only one
untrained teacher. Most of the children were aggressive, impatient and cranky. She wasn’t sure if
her experiment would work under such conditions however she began to teach the children about
everyday life tasks. Her experiment showed surprisingly result . They began to show interest in
things such as gardening, cleaning etc. she noticed that these activities made them more
independent and also added to self-respect. Montessori discovered that her children showed more
interest in academic manipulates rather than toys.
Once she said
“I followed these children, studying them, studied them closely, and the taught me how to
teach them”.
With passage of time, her work was recognized by many people. Numerous publications
and articles written about and by Montessori, made her a well-known to teachers and parents. The
most incredible thing about Montessori is that her model center got duplicated everywhere.
Montessori prime time:
Her prime productive period was in between 1907 to 1930s.
She continued her study of children and developed new curriculum and methodology.
She received support from Europe and America.
She devoted herself to her mission of regenerating mankind
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She was acknowledged as one of the world’s leading educators.
Most of them who have studied Montessori would affirm that Montessori education
is definitely the right system of education for all times and for all cultures as children are born on
the same nature.
Highest recognition and awards to Montessori:
Maria Montessori was pictured on the Italian 200 lire coin and through the 1990s on the 1000
lire bill, by far the most common one replacing Marko Polo, until Italy adopted the Euro. She
was also nominated three times for Nobel peace prize.
Montessori death:
Maria Montessori left the world in the Netherlands in 1952, but would always stay alive through
her educational system which has helped and will continue to help children of all times to be better
human beings. She lived in old days but was definitely “A woman much ahead of her time”
“The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say
The children are now working as if I did not exist”
Q#2: Which are the main requirements to be considered to start a House of
Children? How do you implement them?
The main idea to build a House of children is that to provide them with such a place where they
are psychologically satisfying i.e. children need a proper place where they can learn, play and get
experienced.
Our Homes are designed according to adults, where Child used to listened word
“No” many times in a day. They are not free to work and explore by themselves. Parents were so
busy in their work that they have no proper time to spare with their child. Children are usually not
allowed to “Let me do it myself” strategy. This is the main reason of problematic child because
his inner needs are not satisfied and he’s unhappy.
. “Prohibition is prohibition, either sweet or bitter.”
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How Do I implement:
As kids start learning very after from their birth and for their better growth, development
and education it’s our responsibility as a parent/elder to provide them healthy, effective and fruitful
environment. Children who have better experiences at proper time develop more effectively as
compared to other who has less opportunities and experience.
In House of Children I will prefer to implement following thing:
1. Respect for the child
2. Everything should be child sized
3. The absorbent mind
4. Sensitive periods
5. The prepared environment
6. Focus on individual child
7. Polite and reasonable behavior of teachers
8. Parents – Teachers meeting
RESPECT FOR THE CHILD:
Respect for the child is the keystone on which all other
Montessori principles based. As Montessori said, “As a
rule, however, we do not respect children. We try to force
them to follow us without regard to their special needs.
We are overbearing with themand then we expect them to
be submissive and well-behaved.’’
Teachers show respect for children when they
help them do things and learn for themselves. When
children have choices, they are able to develop the skills
and abilities necessary for effective learning
independence, and positive self-esteem.
EVERYTHING SHOULD BE CHILD SIZED:
Furniture, equipment, and supplies that children could access/used should be child sized so
that they can work all by themselves, they were self-motivated to explore, experiment, and reach
new understandings.
THE ABSORBENT MIND:
Children are born to learn, and they have remarkable learning systems. Children learn because
they are thinking beings. But what they learn depends greatly on their teachers, experiences, and
environments. We need to understand that children can’t help learning, simply by living, children learn from
their environment.
SENSITIVE PERIODS:
Sensitive periods vary from children to children some children are more susceptible to certain
behaviors and can learn specific skills more easily others may not. Although all children experience the
same sensitive periods (e.g., a sensitive period for reading), the sequence and timing vary for each child.
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One role of the teacher is to use observation to detect times of sensitivity and provide the setting for best
result.
THE PREPARED ENVIRONMENT:
Environment is extremely important at any stage of development in a child’s life. Children
are always absorbing from their environment and they do not need to be taught in conventional
manners. In Montessori house we try to design the environment right
according to the needs, interests, abilities and development of children to
maximize their learning.
FOCUS ON INDIVIDUAL CHILD:
A facilitator should focus on each child individually. Each child’s
learning progress, growth, understanding, achieving a mastery of particular
skill and requirements are different.
POLITE AND REASONABLE BEHAVIOR OF TEACHERS:
Children learn a lot firstly from their mother’s then from their teachers. The behavior and
attitude of the teacher should be polite, reasonable and helpful towards children. Through “grace
and courtesy” activities, we teach your child how to solve conflicts, how to act politely in social
situations, and how to be kind and helpful to friends.
PARENTS – TEACHER MEETINGS:
There should be a close interaction between parents and teachers. Parents should know
the progress, work and activities of a child so that they can practice same in homes as well if they
want.
Q#3: What are the discoveries made by Dr. Maria Montessori by observing
the child?
Maria Montessori’s Discoveries
Dr. Maria Montessori is a founder of Montessori education. She has made many discoveries
regarding different aspects of children and their childhood. She conducted a lot of experiments for
nearly twenty two years by spending time with children and observing their behavior. After a long
run of experiments Maria Montessori had founded a method to help children by providing a
suitable environment for their education.
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According to Dr. Maria Montessori children are mostly attracted to
constructive work that suits their age and stage of inner development.
They are more focused and enthusiastic about the work that matches their
interest and love to work until their potential is not satisfied. She
discovered that children tend to repeat the same activity and each time
with more concentration which results in development.
She has discovered that children have tendency to choose an activity for
themselves according to their interest which is also appropriate for
development. They are decisive and are capable of selecting suitable
activities for themselves if they are given freedom.
Unlike adults, a child does not work for incentive rather they work with full interest to complete
their target which they set for themselves. They admire each and every step of the process and
show devotion towards their task.
According to Maria Montessori’s discovery, an adult should trust and follow the instructions given
by a child. This would help a child to gain his self-confidence.
As discussed earlier, a child tends to work to fulfil their potential rather than incentive, so an adult
should avoid offering a reward at the end of a task, by doing so, a child could possibly start working
for incentive and would ignore his inner urge to work.
A child works better and with more concentration if he is exposed to right conditions and a free
will to choose activities for himself.
A child needs those activities which help him to develop sensorial concepts, language, arithmetic
art, and culture. These activities are necessary for building a child’s personality and also bring
intelligence in a child. Montessori discovered that a child can assimilate even that knowledge
which an adult think would be very complex for a child to understand. All that is required to present
such knowledge is a rightful manner and condition.
Montessori observed that if a child is satisfied he may learn discipline unintentionally and starts
respecting others hence discipline should not be imposed on a child. Real discipline comes along
with freedom and real obedience is based on love, respect and faith. She was confident that the
child’s behavior rely on the environment. If a child couldn't get the suitable environment for his
development he becomes stubborn, disobedient and destructive. So we should provide freedom
and suitable conditions for child’s development and Montessori is
the represent such knowledge is a rightful manner and condition.
She discovered that children believe in a statement “Help me Do
it myself” but adults usually don’t pay any attention towards this.
So, she says we should trust children and provide them a very good
environment in order to attain good result. For this purpose, Maria
Montessori constructed a child size environment of Montessori
because, according to her observation the child wants everything
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according to its size. Tables were so small and light in weight so two children could easily move
it. Another very important discovery of Montessori is traffic pattern. She figured out by observing
children that a room where children had to stay, it should not be congested and overloaded they
love to sit on the floor so that’s why she put a lot of rugs and matts for children where they sit and
do activities.
Q# 04: what does “PILES” stand for when we talk of human development?
Discuss the physical, Lingual and intellectual development taking place
during 3-6 years of age?
PILES stand for
PILES
S= social
P= physical
L =language E = emotional
I = intellectual
3-6 years of age is the first and the most important phase of child development .In this phase
child learns, observe and take influence from the surrounding. Child need freedom to put all his
knowledge in action, continuous guide of parents and teachers hinder all his development. As the
common slogan of Montessori is “HELP ME DO IT MYSELF “.This phase is important
because in 3 -6 years, the child brings all his unconscious knowledge to the conscious level.
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT:
Physical development is an important area of child development that includes children’s physical
growth, as well as their ability to control the muscles of their bodies. The physical development
progresses with the age.
AT THE AGE OF 3 AT THE AGE OF 4 AT THE AGE OF 5-6
Started balancing on one foot Easily Bends and pick up toys Improved their Balance and
for few seconds hops longer
Easily ride tricycle by using Very good on trike Beside riding a tricycle
pedals. Steer really well ,expert in other activities too
like swimming ,climbing
,sliding
Walk on tiptoes Run on tiptoes Softly runs on tiptoes
Running ,throwing ball .kicks Can throw ,catch and kick Show interest in all sorts of
forcefully and try to catch well and can now bounce a ball games
ball ball
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Always like to jump last step Efficiently run upstairs More confident in stairs
of stairs
Easily runs round obstruction Is skilled at running round Dances and likes to walk on
obstruction and corners with thin line
swiftness
Sits on bottom with ankle Able to sit cross legged Become More energetic
crossed
LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT:
Language is very important and absolute basis in the development of brain, it leads directly in
ability to read. In the phase of 3-6 years child language development become more advanced
.they used speech and gestures to communicate .This development starts before birth and up to
age 5, children develop language at a very rapid pace.
AT THE AGE OF 3 AT THE AGE OF 4 AT THE AGE OF 5-6
Frequently asked question Most asked question is Very inquisitive and ask
like “why” and “what” “what does that mean “ meaning of intangible words
Know their name ,age and Knows own name ,age Knows name ,age ,address
sex ,address and sometime remember
birthday
Recites numbers up to 10 and Recites numbers up to 20 and Can count more objects easily
count 3 objects easily count 4 – 5 objects.
Can make completely Loves to have jokes ,listen Still loves to listen stories and
understandable sentences and long stories and make their understand action and jokes
try to have simple own stories in them. Ask question about
conversation with others. story
Ability to repeat rhymes Sing several songs and Knows more rhymes and love
,songs and stories rhymes to sing and dance
Grammar is not totally Good command on grammar Use generally correct
correct grammar
Can use plurals you , me , I Sometime confuses letters in Confuses the letter S with TH
and plurals speech ,such as K with T .R ,or F with TH
with W or TH with F
400 word vocabulary 900-1000 words vocabulary 1500 -2500 words vocabulary
INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT:
Intellectual development means how children think, explore and figure things out It's about how
they organize their minds, ideas and thoughts to make sense of the world they live in.
AT THE AGE OF 3 AT THE AGE OF 4 AT THE AGE OF 5-6
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know many colors but Know all primary colors Identify more colors and can
sometimes mix blue with match well
green
Learn to hold a pencil Good in holding pencil Proper grip on pen and pencil
and can draw a house
Ability to build 9 blocks high Can build 10 blocks high Copy 10 bricks step module
tower and small bridge with tower and copy 6 bricks
bricks
Try to paint a picture Recognize what they draw Can draw more defined and
/paint detailed drawing
Draw head of person and Draws people with head Can draw figures with
some features ,bodies ,legs arms and detailed features
fingures too
Copy a circle, wirte Copies X,T,H,V and O Draw square and triangle
alphabets like V,T,H and a .Copy L,H,V,Y,X,T,O,U,C
cross and A
Every child is different from other, some learns faster other are slower but catch up
later. A specific system of education is required to take development and learning to maximum.
Q# 05: Write a comprehensive note on the role of teacher in Montessori
classroom?
In Montessori system of education a teacher is called a guide, a facilitator or directress. Her
role is to prepare a healthy kid who are stable, flexible and equipped with advanced skills like
reading, writing and creativity. In order to understand her role better, we have two types of arts.
1. Productive art
2. Co-operative art
Productive art:
Arts in which the activity of the artist is the principal and the only cause of production is
productive art.
Example: shoemaker, carpenter, tailor etc.
Co-operative art:
In cooperative art the activity of the artist is not the only cause of production.
Example: farming, healing (doctors, nurse), teaching.
If we don’t have any farmer left on earth plants and animals still grow and
reproduce because it’s their natural ability to grow .Same is the case with doctors and teacher.
A real teacher should understand that “learning is the activity of learners mind not the activity of
teachers”. The Montessori Method provokes a spontaneous love of learning since the child is
given the freedom to make many of her own choices.
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ROLE OF DIRECTRESSES:
Anna Burke Neubert, in her famous book, A way of learning (1973) describes few guidelines
that help a directress in their special role.
Prepared environment:
The classroom is for the children and we must prepare it with them in mind. It is
their special place and we need to show them how to take care of it.
The role of Montessori teacher is to prepare and organize appropriate learning materials
that appeal the child’s needs and interest.
They freely select their work and engaged in selected activity.
Manage and keep the environment in perfect condition.
Rapidly modifying the educational material as needed.
Observing the children:
A directress is an interpreter and an observer of the moves of the children. She
understands his or her needs by observing their behavior.
Teachers are the dynamic link between the children and prepared environment.
She observe how each child cooperates with others, works in his environment and
manipulates each activity.
Giving lessons:
In order to keep the children in their state of mind and show more interest in work,
Montessori teacher should deliver a lesson as brief as possible and use simplest
information required for work.
Encouraging each child to continue to explore further on their own.
She knows her limits when to help a child and when to give them a free hand.
Evaluation:
They carefully evaluate the effectiveness of their work.
The teachers advise, present a lesson or observe children quietly while they work. In this
way, children work at their own pace in a peaceful environment.
Every child have different interest, progress and growth so they focus on each child
individually and prepare the surroundings accordingly.
Model correct behavior:
“Good behavior is caught, not taught," So the saying goes. The children are keen observer
and they will do what we do. So the basic approach of Montessori teacher
Is to teach respect of others, grace and courtesy, calmness and honesty.
They are peace educators, consistently working to teach courteous behavior and conflict.
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Diagnosticians:
Montessori teacher are Diagnosticians who evaluates, diagnoses and work with children
with learning problems and guide their parents about their child habit.
“The teacher’s task is not to talk, but to prepare and arrange a series of
motives for cultural activity in a special environment made for the child.”
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