If parents want their children to develop initiative, independence, confidence and a desire to learn, the Montessori method is the perfect choice. However, to promote effectiveness, applying the Montessori method for children 0 - 6 years old is most appropriate. In the article below, learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of the Montessori method as well as how to apply the Montessori method in detail for children 0 - 6 years old.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Montessori method for children 0-6 years old
Advantages of the Montessori method
The Montessori method for children 0-6 years old brings many positive effects in developing the brain, senses, and social skills.
Practice practical ability and independence
The Montessori method builds many activities, hands-on lessons and learning materials that focus on each child's strengths. Thanks to that, children can learn and develop at their own pace. Moreover, children also develop their senses, practice and form independence, not relying on the help of others.
Encourage the spirit of self-study
The obvious advantage of the Montessori method for children is that it stimulates curiosity and the desire to learn about the world around them. From there, the spirit of self-study and interest in learning makes the children's learning process more interesting.
Develop intelligence
The Montessori method focuses on exploiting children's potential, encouraging children to actively learn and be creative. This has a positive impact on thinking and brain, helping children reveal their abilities early. Parents can also discover and promptly nurture their children's talents for better development in the future.
Improve memory
Through exploring and exploring the world, children will develop their thinking and enhance their memory. Furthermore, studying and researching based on practical activities will help children's memory ability be better and longer.
Personality development
Lessons and activities associated with real life will help children practice necessary skills. Besides, children also know how to take care of themselves, care for and help those around them, protect the environment... All of these things contribute to forming autonomy and developing good personalities. for children.
Expand interoperability
A characteristic of the Montessori method is the mixing of different ages. Therefore, children will have the opportunity to expand relationships, easily learn, share and develop social interaction skills.
Meet the special education environment
Children with special needs will not be under great pressure to keep up with their peers. Instead, children learn and develop at their own pace and abilities. However, children still have close relationships with their classmates, creating a stable and safe environment for children.
Disadvantages of the Montessori method
Costly
Montessori education programs that meet international standards need to prepare many teaching tools, toys, and documents. Besides, investing in classroom systems, equipment, and facilities also costs a lot. Not to mention the teaching staff needs professional training to improve educational effectiveness.
The curriculum is not uniform
Although the programs share the same educational philosophy, the teaching and learning processes are not identical. Depending on the region, each school has adjustments to suit the locality and children's characteristics. Besides, the teacher's qualifications also significantly affect the curriculum. Therefore, parents should clearly understand the standards to meet the learning needs of their children and families.
Independence is not always good
Montessori promotes children's independence and autonomy. However, independence is not always good. According to some experts, children who are too independent are often rigid, difficult to integrate and easily develop an arrogant attitude. Many children also feel lonely and have few relationships with friends and people around them. Therefore, parents should choose a suitable Montessori educational environment, allowing children to do what they like but within a certain range.
How to apply the Montessori method for children 0-6 years old
When applying the Montessori method to children 0-6 years old, parents can divide it into the following stages.
Montessori method for children 0-3 years old
During this period, children undergo many changes, from being held in their arms to learning to crawl, learn to walk, learn to eat, learn to speak... Therefore, applying the Montessori method requires patience step by step so that your child can develop. best development.
Childhood period 0-12 months
- Environment: The bedroom space needs to be quiet for the baby to adapt to the new environment. Add some light music, open the window to let in natural sunlight to make your baby comfortable.
- Toys: Choose toys for newborns made of natural, safe materials and gentle colors. Combined with a fun shape, to encourage baby to grasp and develop tactile sense.
- Music: Let children listen to music for 10-15 minutes every day at a moderate volume.
- Scent: Let children become familiar with many natural scents such as floral scents and food scents to develop their sense of smell.
- Food: From 6 months onwards, children begin to eat solid foods. Parents should let their children get used to the sweetness of fruits and natural foods.
Child stage 1-2 years old
Children 1-2 years old move more, so they need more space to play and exercise.
- Environment: Create a safe indoor and outdoor play environment for children to climb and develop movement. Parents always observe and support their children when necessary, encouraging them to stand up when they fall.
- Toys: Prioritize choosing toys made of natural materials and safely designed to help children develop their senses.
- Communication: Regularly talk and read books to your baby to expand their vocabulary and develop communication skills.
- Let children do everything: Encourage children to experience and do things they like. This will stimulate curiosity and passion for discovery, helping children learn many useful things.
Child stage 2-3 years old
Applying the Montessori method to 2-3 year old children requires focusing on training independence. Therefore, the preparation steps at this stage are as follows:
- Environment: Parents need to create a comfortable and safe playing and learning environment for their children. Pay special attention to arranging everything neatly to teach your baby the habit of orderliness from an early age.
- Forming independence: Parents practice independence in their children by doing simple daily tasks such as choosing clothes according to their preferences, dressing themselves, putting on shoes, brushing their teeth...
- Toys: Besides appropriate toys, parents shouldteach children reading skills . This activity will help children improve their memory and develop language and brain skills effectively.
- Communication: 2-year-old children begin to develop strong language skills and more vocabulary. Parents should increase conversation and communication, and use standard language and actions when children are around.
Montessori method for children 3-6 years old
The Montessori method for children 3-6 years old mainly focuses on consolidating what children learn through practice.
- Environment: Study, play and bedroom corners suit children's preferences. For example, if your baby likes cars, parents can decorate the bedroom with pictures of cars and display car toys.
- Games: During this stage, the games that the Montessori method builds are quite intuitive, helping children develop their skills and brain. Some suggested games include playdough, playing with dolls, role-playing toys...
- Communication: This is also a golden period for children to develop language and vocabulary. Parents should prepare good books, meaningful stories or learning cards for their children to best develop their language skills.
Above is the information parents need to know about the Montessori method for children 0-6 years old. Don't forget to follow Mykingdom's " Handbook " section to update useful information about the Montessori method and many other interesting articles.