MYTH 2: Montessori Is Too Structured
Montessori instruction is too structured. Kids sit and work all day and aren’t allowed to move around.
TRUTH: On the contrary, in the Montessori classroom, children are allowed to move freely about to access all the learning materials they need. Additionally, for children, play and “work” are often the same thing. In other words, when children engage with the Montessori learning materials, they are indeed learning but it feels like play to them. For example, think of how your own child can joyfully while away the hours manipulating and arranging objects like toys or blocks. The two experiences are similar, but in the Montessori environment, the student is actually working toward mastery of skills and subjects.
Montessori students are allowed to work with specific learning materials for as long as they desire, and the fact that they will until they feel they have mastered it is testimony to the power of the method. Children in Montessori choose to work toward mastery and are internally motivated by a natural love of learning.
Children are also given the security of knowing how to work with the many activities in the classroom. This helps them orient themselves to the fundamentals of each learning experience. At the same time, because instruction is highly individualized, you seldom see children writing the same words with the movable alphabets, painting the same pictures, or even doing the same math problems as their friends.
See for Yourself
If you would like to learn more about the Montessori Method or how we employ it in the classroom, join us for Mornings of Montessori, or call us at 303-530-5353. Thank you for your interest
