| The Montessori Method is a term that has grown to | | | | this plane. From ages twelve through eighteen (third |
| encompass a variety of approaches to the task of | | | | plane) includes acquiring a valuation of human |
| cultivating the acquisition of knowledge. The original | | | | personality. It also includes puberty for many individuals |
| method was developed from Dr. Maria Montessori's | | | | which are sufficiently significant biological change to |
| research in the 1900's. | | | | merit recognition. The final plane in a four plane division |
| The Fundamentals | | | | includes ages eighteen plus. This involves a rounding |
| The fundamental basis of Montessori's method is that | | | | out of the individual. It is notable that the considered |
| each child has a way of being (and learning) that is | | | | pinnacle or goal of this maturing is to participate in adult |
| innate within them. Encouraging the children to exist in | | | | society. This and the method itself may appear too |
| their normal nature through the creation of a free and | | | | many to limit the academic merit of such an approach. |
| stable environment reportedly allowed the children to | | | | There are some provisions for this in some schools |
| shift to a state of peace. This shift was referred to as | | | | and adaptations of the method. |
| normalization and the state of peace was considered | | | | The Classrooms |
| the child's normal nature. | | | | The prepared classroom is essential in Montessori |
| Through the introduction of various materials and task | | | | instruction. It is the environment including interaction with |
| related objects, students are encouraged to learn for | | | | the guide (this term typifies the difference between |
| themselves. How and what the student learns is | | | | adults in a Montessori classroom and adults in a typical |
| directed, to varying degrees depending on the school, | | | | classroom) that provides the child the opportunity to |
| by the inner directives of the child. This liberty allows | | | | shift to their normal nature according to Montessori. |
| children to develop at a rate that is best for them. It | | | | Organization of classroom materials and access to |
| also allows children to focus on what they choose. | | | | those materials are essential. Physical objects are |
| The method typically recognizes a number of planes | | | | considered vital for younger children. |
| of development. In some branches of Montessori | | | | The guide's part is to observe. The guide may control |
| schooling, there are four planes. From birth through six | | | | the environment, but the children are left to |
| years of age are considered to be the first plane. This | | | | self-direction. There are provisions for behavior that |
| plane includes aspects of development, such as | | | | disrupts the environment though. This usually takes the |
| personality formation and the use of physical senses | | | | form of refocusing rather than punishment. |
| to acquire knowledge. Language and mental order | | | | A number of other factors are present in classic and |
| development are also considered to begin in this plane. | | | | modern Montessori classrooms. Many of those |
| The next plane is considered to include ages six up to | | | | classrooms do include the elements listed above |
| twelve. More complex mental developments are | | | | though. If you want to learn more about the details of |
| considered to occur here. | | | | creating Montessori environments, or the many |
| Abstract reasoning, the integration of imagination and | | | | applications of the research in developing lesson plans |
| social interaction are believed to be incorporated on | | | | and curriculum, you can find additional information online. |