What does it mean to observe, understand, and follow children in Montessori education?

It was pioneered by the Italian female educator Maria Montessori (1870-1952). It is child-centered and provides children with education on the premise of grasping their sensitive period. Open educational activities that provide adequate teaching aids.

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Because the Montessori education method is "child-centered", it is very different from the teacher-centered approach of traditional early childhood education. Therefore, the teacher is no longer an authoritative role standing in front of the blackboard and shouting and giving orders. He does not aim at “instilling” knowledge into children. Instead, he takes the objective stance of “helping children grow in life” and designing and guiding children to learn on their own.

Use inspiration and induction as a means to allow children to use their brains freely and automatically, so that their intelligence and physical abilities can continue to grow. Therefore, Montessori teachers should be more appropriately called “mentors”.

You must understand Montessori’s educational principles and teaching methods

We say that Montessori is a practitioner because she will turn ideals into methods and put them into practice; we also say that Montessori is a practitioner. She is said to be an educator and scientist because she used observation methods to discover "The Secret of Childhood" (meaning the secret of childhood growth. This is a famous work on Montessori theory) and found the basis for education for children.

Precisely because the "teaching aids" of Montessori's practical ideals and methods are designed based on the "discovery of children" (meaning Montessori's discovery of children, which is also a famous work), if the teacher does not understand This principle will guide children in a rigid and mechanical manner, but ignore the inner needs of children and the laws of their growth and individual differences, resulting in unreasonable and ineffective intervention behaviors, and even harm to children.

A tutor who understands the principles and methods, when guiding children in the "work" of learning, will have a deep understanding of the changes in purpose, procedure, enlightenment and guidance; she will understand the inner feelings of the children. Consciousness, learning ability and natural limitations; as well as what age and mentality should be given to him, and correct guidance will effectively help their body and mind develop normally and improve their intellectual potential.

Know how to operate teaching aids

Children gain intellectual and physical development through teaching aids, and the introduction of teaching aids must be properly prompted by the tutor, so the tutor is a very important Media figures.

Not only can she demonstrate the use of "teaching aids" to children in a "simple", "succinct" and "objective" manner; she can also understand the child's reaction to the teaching aids at any time to decide and inspire him to continue. Manipulate or induce him to stop temporarily.

She must also humbly and carefully observe the inner needs and limitations (especially mental and physical) of the child in front of her. At the same time, you can truly understand what "child-centered" means! For example: you don’t need to force the child to do this or that; you can squat down to talk to the child without taking a arrogant posture; you can speak softly and move slowly and neatly when demonstrating, etc.; these small things are also handled by the instructor. You must pay attention to everything so that your children can understand it clearly and "work" (study) happily.

Comprehensive characteristics of the tutor

She must patiently observe the children, care about their needs, and be a careful "observer"; she can design suitable programs based on what she observes The environment in which children grow up is a "preparer" responsible for teaching materials, teaching aids and a good atmosphere; he can coordinate and guide how children come into contact with the environment; he is also an "inspirator" of "inspiration" for children's learning, and "change" "Mind" "Inducer". He must be able to ensure this environment and maintain the integrity of the environment, so that every contact with the child can be a complete learning. These characteristics are the qualities that early childhood education teachers should possess. In addition: there is one most important thing - the mentor himself must always maintain a humble step-down mentality. Many adults often have some old-fashioned attitudes, such as being self-righteous. This is a considerable "obstacle" in the Montessori classroom, because it obscures the teacher's understanding of the children and can easily lead to errors in arbitrary and forceful methods. Therefore, in Montessori education, "adults" are also a part of being taught--the so-called "live and learn".

Teachers must have a humble and benevolent heart, and must be able to change the bad old concepts of personal tradition of "self-centeredness" or children's ignorance; re-understand that children are "future talents" with unlimited potential and great prospects; and they must use children as teachers, Only then can you be a successful new kindergarten teacher.

Successful inspiring skills

The slogan "inspired teaching" can be seen on almost every kindergarten admissions brochure. However, the mother's adult-centered enlightenment still relies on adults' opinions to "teach some knowledge to the children and let them passively understand, memorize or imitate", which is completely different from Montessori education's "let the children open and absorb by themselves" The spiritual window of knowledge, using your own thinking, becomes new and new every day."

How to inspire children is a difficult task that requires a lot of thinking and skills. The accumulation of experience and professional training are both indispensable. But if you can't figure out the trick, you should have a rule in your mind: "Put the child as the center and let him use his brain." Chew carefully before you say anything. Over time, you can figure out the method!

Have love and patience

Although children have innate "intrinsic motivation" instinctively, it will drive them to automatically contact and love the environment. , as well as various teaching aids; but if there are no teachers to use their "love" to pay attention and inspire, children's interest in learning will not be sustainable and they will "change their minds", which makes Montessori advocate calling the "work" of children's growth (referring to Children come into contact with the environment themselves and actually operate the teaching aids for long-term work), which becomes what most adults call "games"; the meaning and effect are completely deteriorated. Therefore, only tutors who are caring, patient, and highly educated can help children develop their intellectual and physical abilities in an orderly and hierarchical way.

Hope this can help you