Montessori Education: Brain Development

Montessori Education is based on the discoveries of Dr Maria Montessori in 1917. From her observations she wrote extensively on the needs of the child in reaching their potential. The titles of her numerous books capture a leap in understanding about child development and its importance: The Absorbent Mind, The Secret of Childhood, The Discovery of the Child, Spontaneous Activity in Education & more. The Montessori approach to education is essentially an aid to life. It is about assisting development in the formative years and therefore goes far beyond the concept of school or curriculum. In Maria Montessori's own words: "our work as adults does not consist in teaching, but in helping the infant mind in its work of development" Montessori believed the first 6 years of life form the foundation for the rest of our lives. When working with children, we need to learn to give help only when it is needed and to understand the importance of standing back and observing the unfolding life of the child before us (Maria Montessori)

Brain development 

We now recognize that the years from birth to 6 are critically important in shaping a child's capacity and enthusiasm for learning. Although these years were always thought to be vital to human development, new technological advances in brain research further supports this. We also know that it is not genetics alone that determines human development. Nature provides a complex system of brain circuitry, but it is external forces such as diet, surroundings and stimulation that determine how the circuits are wired.

The early wiring of the brain is critical to  young children's development. It is the stimulating and problem solving activities that children are engaged in that build this circuitry. Lack of stimulation will cause less brain wiring to occur. Early brain development affects all aspects of children's development including moral and social development. University of California

Stimulating activities

A Montessori environment has a special atmosphere of cheerful orderliness, calmness and purposeful work. The materials or activities are attractive and stimulating with each piece of equipment: inviting exploration by ease of handling, challenging and self correcting, allowing for unlimited repetition, helping the child to acquire precise vocabulary, focusing on a single quality and correlating with other activities to bring together the whole jigsaw of learning, and being able to be used for simple and complex tasks.

The children work and develop within the prepared environment which provides distinctive, easily accessible materials. Each piece of equipment is designed to develop a specific concept. The Adult guide introduces the children to these materials in a logical sequence.

Brain circuitry  and the hard wiring of a child's brain is the foundation for all later learning. This is a systematic process and Montessori devised these specific materials to aid exploration and discovery that are recognized universal truths about childhood development and learning.

HOW YOU CAN HELP?

To help your child's development during the first six years you need to be aware of your role in this development, as well as the importance of your attitude toward handling various situations that arise from day to day.

Respect the individuality of the child

Resist imposing your own will and personality on your child

Allow your child to be active, enabling them to learn through exploration of the world around

Recognize the difference between encouraging rather than praising or rewarding.