Every education system is designed to facilitate learning. However, Montessori stands out in its pursuit of inspiration, giving children the skills and passion necessary for deep learning. Students go beyond typical memorization to develop the strengths they will use to creatively investigate their environments throughout their lives.
The World as Background
Of course, children in Montessori schools do learn about major academic topics. Mathematics, language and history are all important to the curricula. In Montessori, these subjects goes beyond a simple repetition of information. Independent research, group activities and even classroom sessions all seek to empower students intellectually and emotionally. Fostering a curiosity for questions and a passion for seeking the answers informs every moment of Montessori education. Learned young and reinforced over time, this system of creative investigation helps Montessori students to move through life’s obstacles with confidence.
The Central Support Role
Instructors play the important role of nurturing creative investigation. In the Montessori classroom, the teacher is more than a source of information. They are observers as well, paying close attention to each child.
Through long-term development and engagement tracking, teachers know where each student’s strong and weak points are. By building long term understanding instead of the tradition form of grading or external rewards and punishment, teachers keep students on track and remain flexible to the individual needs of each child. Usually, attention is provided on an immediate, palpable level.
For example, a teacher might notice a child responding to something with stronger emotions than expected. Rather than simply taking a note or marking off participation points, the teacher takes the child aside to explore the issue. Because the classroom is set up for self-directed learning this doesn’t interrupt the other children. After learning how to work through emotions with the teacher, conflict resolution begins happening among peers.
These methods of emotional exploration prepare children to use empathy to develop creative solutions to a variety of issues. Moments like these happen every day across the Montessori schools of the world, each unique to their own context and community.
The Conducive Classroom
The physical classroom is also designed to foster creativity. Teaching spaces in Montessori help children learn through discovery, analysis and synthesis. Some of the classic early childhood education activities, such as building block exercises, form the foundations of future revelations. Montessori materials are designed to be self-correcting in the same way puzzles are. There is no judgment for doing something wrong. The child is free to explore until they get it right. You don’t get a red mark when the piece doesn’t fit. You grab another piece. Classroom materials encourage exploration, open-ended interaction, and establish a fun, informative place to take creative risks.
Creativity in Montessori is part of every subject. By default, children use their curiosity to learn about the world — this educational system recognizes, allows, and celebrates natural curiosity.
If you are naturally curious about Montessori education, Council Oak is happy to answer any questions. Please feel free to reach out for more information on this subject as it may pertain to the creative development of your young learners.