Montessori education is known for its bustling classrooms full of students autonomously working with little to no interference from their teachers. Teachers deliberately curate the classroom environment, making it intriguing to spark students' interests and structured to support their learning.
Role of Teachers in a Montessori Classroom
Teachers present group and individual lessons about subject material and new shelf material. Then, they spend a majority of the rest of their time closely observing each child working with the materials. Their main role is to serve as stewards of the learning environment and supporting each child’s learning journey by following each child's needs. Each student’s personal learning goals are their primary focus.
For a Montessori classroom to thrive, it requires order. The teacher orchestrates everything—from the way the furniture is arranged, the materials available on the shelves, and the flow of the day. They apply their extensive knowledge of each student’s readiness and abilities to select and display the appropriate learning materials for them to choose from.
The learning materials are created with control or error in mind. This allows teachers to step back from constant one-on-one instruction. Instead, students learn to focus and allow the materials to correct them. The child are empowered to correct their mistakes independently and seamlessly without outside distraction or interruption.
“The greatest sign of success for a teacher…is to be able to say, ‘The children are now working as if I do not exist.’”—Dr. Maria Montessori
How Parents or Caregivers Support the Montessori Method
Parents are a child’s first teacher. The Montessori Practical Life curriculum exposes children to a wide swath of care tasks for themselves and their home. One of the best ways to support your student’s learning is to let them practice these tasks at home. You can extend the lessons of Montessori as your child grows through every stage in life by continuing to model, invite, and practice alongside them.
According to Dr. Montessori, the role of all adults is to provide children access to learning and give them a conducive environment. Access to learning shouldn't stop once a child walks out of school. Parents also support their child’s learning by ensuring safe, controlled environments at home.
The Montessori in a Minute Series
This Montessori In A Minute series regularly explores the unique benefits of Montessori philosophy, its fundamental materials, and areas of the classroom. Montessori schools center around five key areas of learning in the Montessori environment: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, and Culture. For all parents at Hudson Montessori School (Jersey City, New Jersey), the school hosts several Parent Education Nights a year to learn about the Montessori method and how the students learn curriculum components using a Montessori framework.
To learn more about Hudson Montessori School’s interdisciplinary, theme-based learning approach to education, the Montessori philosophy and methodology, or how the school fosters the love of learning for children aged 2 to eighth grade, please contact us.
