Trusting the Montessori Method
The other day, my mom was taking care of my kids while we were out. As she was getting them ready for bed, my son (who’s 6) looked at her and said, “Grandma, my mom is a Montessori teacher, but you’re nothing.” My mom was kind of shocked, but then she replied, “Actually, I’m a nurse.” My son: “Really? Are you really a nurse, grandma?” She assured him that she was, and in doing so gained back some (well-deserved) respect from her grandson.
As we laughed about it later, I was reminded of the first Montessori directress I worked with. I remembered her telling me that that if you met someone who had worked in Montessori or whose child had attended a Montessori school, and you told them you were Montessori certified, they had immediate respect for you. Why is that? I’m sure it’s because the training itself is very difficult – only seven people in my original class of 20 completed every requirement – and because the implementation of that training is even more difficult.
When I was taking the Montessori training, I talked to my husband incessantly about Montessori theories. To his credit, he listened with interest. At one point, I asked him: “What do you really think of the Montessori method? Is it a valid way for children to learn?” His reply: “It really depends on the person doing it”.
In my experience, if a Montessori school – or Montessori-styled homeschool – isn’t working, it’s because of the person implementing the method, not because there’s a problem with the Montessori method itself. There’s plenty of evidence that the Montessori method, when implemented correctly, works and works well.
It can be hard for us as teachers and parents to always trust the Montessori method. The results are not always readily apparent. And, the usual metrics – grades, test scores, report cards – aren’t there to reassure us that everything is working. Also we teachers and parents practice the Montessori method imperfectly, no matter how learned or skilled we may be. There’s always room for improvement.
So, I’m issuing a dual challenge to myself and anyone reading: to trust in the Montessori method even when we don’t see immediate, quantifiable results; and to constantly strive to be true Montessorians, observing children closely, respecting their choices, and providing them with carefully chosen, beautiful materials. I know we can do it!
Last but not least, a very Happy Valentine’s Day to your and yours!
One of the big things I noticed amongst some of the other parents and children at my toddler’s Montessori daycare is that they “seem” unfamiliar with the methods devised by Maria Montessori.
It almost appears like some people are happy with what they see (environment has little clutter, lots of natural light, few plastic toys), like the friendly staff, so they figure “it must be good if I like it”.
I get the impression that many parents of my toddler’s friends are not educated or familiar with the Montessori methods at all.
I see little things that make me think this way. For example, now that it’s winter up here in Toronto, there is a big, rubber mat outside each classroom next to the bench. A big sign at the entrance reminds people to place their children’s wet boots on the mat.
Most people seem to do this.
I, as the self-educated Montessori-interested person, have my child take his wet boots and place them on the mat himself.
And not only that, I ask him to place them side by side (the second step), demonstrating once what “side by side” means.
None of the other parents make their kids do this.
And yet, such a simple task that is so empowering to the child.
Not to mention that I happen to know for a fact that if there is a mess to clean up inside the classroom, the teachers demonstrate and encourage the toddlers to clean it up themselves.
It’s too bad in some ways that the methods, most of which are so incredibly simple, are not continued and encouraged outside of the classroom/school.
This may have been slightly off topic but it just reminded me because in my view, those who are the most criticizing about the Montessori methods are the least educated in it, and often only know about the methods through (mostly incorrect) hearsay.
You do good work Lori.
You’re right, many times parents of kids in a Montessori school don’t carry through the “Montessori-ness” at home too. That’s why it’s so important for school directors and teachers to educate parents on those kinds of things, whenever possible!
Great reminder – and thanks for the compliment!