Process of Learning
Montessori materials teach through hands on learning, spontaneous engagement, active involvement, and self-directed activity. Montessori materials have a control of error inherent in their design. This allows children to work independently, unafraid to make mistakes and to become comfortable with the fact errors are essential to the process of learning. While making independent choices and exploring concepts largely on their own,
Montessori students construct their own sense of individual identity. They become independent and confident individuals. The child is intrinsically motivated to learn. In a Montessori classroom children don’t work for grades or external rewards, nor do they complete assignments given to them by their teachers. Children learn because they are interested in things and in gaining an understanding of the world around them. In the classroom there are three stages of learning a new concept or lesson:
- Introduction to a concept. This is usually occurs by means of exploration within the classroom, observing another child at work, a conversation, reading something in a book, etc.
- Processing the concept. The child develops an understanding of the concept through working with materials that illustrate the ideas, provide opportunity for exploration and experimentation, and provide opportunity for repetition of an activity.
- Mastering the concept. The child is confidently able to explain the concept and teach the concept to another person.
