There was conducted a research in US comparing the development of children who went to Montessori school and those, who went to usual school at the ages of 5 and 12. Montessori children did, indeed, better in various fields when tested at age of 5. At age of 12 the difference diminished but still was seen, especially in creativity.
Maria Montessori was developing her education method in the beginning of 20th century putting emphasis on child’s independence, liberty and so called discovery model (not direct instruction). The most important in Montessori method is “prepared environment”, which is specially tailored for the development needs of child. Children themselves know the best what they want to do at the particular moment: to iron or to wash smth, to play with cereal, to study math with specially designed material. Montessori environment is usually separated in zones: sensorial, linguistics, math, space, geography, physical activity.
In fact, every mum can educate her child using Montessori method and create Montessori environment at home. When Maria was 1 y.o., I offered her to draw using cereal on a tray. She was also trying to select the correct cover to each jar, tube etc. She enjoyed these games a lot and I tried to employ these games more and more not knowing about the existence of Montessori method. I think it is more on the intuitive level to give child freedom of choice and organize simple games, which stimulate child’s development.
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