Montessori is a child-centered approach developed in Rome in early 1990s by Maria Montessori. The whole idea of a Montessori is to provide an environment, where the child plays to learn. A play-based approach has been adopted by many primary schools across the globe, where children from lower Grades do not carry out a traditional classes.
Liberty Prep is a Montessori school on the eastern edge of downtown Toronto that follows a play-based approach by combining Grades 1 to 3. In this approach, the classroom is not a traditional one but instead children are allowed to wear variant colors of uniforms, independently engaged in various activities.
Montessori is a place where the teachers are at task and the children learn by playing with different toys, puzzles, games etc. Children of ages three, four and five must distinguish between themselves while they stay together in one place. The older ones, on the other hand, tend to behave like role-models as those younger obey them. The free-environment of mixed ages helps to build leadership qualities as well as self-esteem in the children.
According to a survey done by The Globe and Mail, the principal and Liberty Prep's founder Leslie Shuber shares her views. She always tells parents that she can describe Montessori in one word and that is "independence."
"They [the students] are going about their school day deciding what they are going to do, what they're going to study, deciding what they are going to work with, what they're interested in," Shuber said.
Waldorf schools in North America also observe a play-based approach by providing children activities such as baking, gardening, singing etc. GreatSchools' Marketing vice president Karissa Sparks says there is an emphasis on creative learning, reading, singing, acting in Waldorf schools. Sparks says, "It's great for kids who want that predictability, but there is creativity there. It's a blend."
Similarly many Montessori schools have adopted play-based approach as Maria Montessori always believed that touch is very important to learn. Stay tuned for more updates on education and children.
