Traditional vs Montessori Method of Education by Kofo Thomas
EDUCATION
according to dictionary is the act or process of imparting or acquiring general
knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of
preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.
The
traditional method of education is the system of education where by learning is
based on the teacher being an active participant of giving the information
(knowledge) to the child while the child is a passive participant that is
supposed to accept the teachers instructions wholly without any objection. The
traditional method, though not bad on its own but does not give room for the
discovery of the potentials in the child.
The
Montessori education is a method of teaching where by the child is an active
participant while the teacher is there to guide, monitor and supervise the
child’s activities. The child learns in a prepared environment that will enable
him develop the potentials he/she is born with.
The traditional method of education makes use of a lot of
theories propounded by Scientists, Educationists, Psychologists, Sociologists,
Biologists, Child Psychologists and others. The challenge there, being that
some of these theories are being applied without taking cognizance of the
particular need of the child at each point in time.
Maria
Montessori, the founder of the new education (The Montessori System) believed
that education should no longer be mostly imparting of knowledge, but must take
a new path, seeking “the release of human potentialities”. Her discovery is
based on the fact that education should be child centered. She disputed the assertion by some theorists
that the mind is born “tabula raza” (blank). According to Montessori (1957) The
child is a spiritual Embryo that is born with a lot of potentials that are
developed when it comes in contact with the environment especially a prepared
environment that is child centered with purposeful materials that are
attractive, natural and at child’s reach which will enhance the development of
senses, enhance thinking and imaginative skills which in the long run will lead
to creativity.
Montessori
noted that within the child lies the faith of the future; therefore our care of
the child should be governed, not by the desire to make him learn things, but
by the endeavor always to keep burning within him that light which is called
intelligence. Whoever touches the life of a child touches the most sensitive
point of a whole which has roots in the most distance past and climbs towards
the infinite future. According to Montessori, the first duty of an educationist
is to stir up life, but leave it free to develop for we cannot know the
consequences of suppressing a child’s spontaneity which he is just beginning to
be active. Education according to her cannot be effective unless it helps a
child to open up himself to life.
The
Montessori education which is child- centered learning system came as a result
of the thought by the founder (Maria Montessori) that the education in practice
(traditional method of education) has not helped to solve the societal
problems. Despite education, people’s attitude and behavior still give room to
wars, cruelty and poverty. Montessori believed that it was as a result of the
kind of education people received from childhood that people grew up to become
greedy and competitive. Montessori advocated for what she called a new
education to curb the lack of self-fulfillment of man since the old method has
not succeeded in solving the problems of man. She believed that an education
that will be centered on the child ( studying and observing the child) and
focusing on the child’s right and welfare through guidance, observation and
supervision, providing the help where needed under a prepared environment with
purposeful, stimulating and educative materials, then the child will be
“normalized” and be in a situation to develop and acquire all the skills that
will enable him contribute positively to the society which in the long run
would be the key to progress and end war in the world.
Conclusively,
Montessori designed a curriculum that will guide the new education. For the 0
- 6 years, there are five main areas: Practical life Exercise, Sensorial,
Language, Mathematics and Cultural subjects. It is a misconception for people
to think that children are just left on their own. Everything about Montessori
is purposeful: The prepared environment the directress, the curriculum, the
activities (exercise) with their aims (Direct and Indirect). A lot more to it;
do comment on this.
About the writer
Mrs Kofo Thomas is an Educationist with over 16 years teaching and School Administration experience. She is a licensed Montessori School Teacher with practical Montessori teaching experience in South Africa. Prior to her teaching experience she has worked with both International and local consulting outfits on Finance and Banking for over 10 years. She attended several relevant School Management and Early Childhood Education Courses among which are: Effective School Management by Nigerian Institute of Management, Early Years Curriculum Development and Jolly Phonics (Reading and Writing). She is a registered Invigilator on UK Exams with the British Council and currently manages Smiley Kids Montessori School, Lagos. www.smileykidsmontessori.net