From: "Dano" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> I don't know who or what Montessori is,
Madame Montessori was an Italian woman -- noblewoman, I believe -- who
lived in the late 19th and early 20th century. She was appalled at the
conditions of most schools -- both public and private -- and noticed
that many children were not really getting educated, in spite of strict
disciplinary measures, etc.
It dawned on her that in nature, animals did not have to send their
young to 'schools' (at least as the term was understood in western
civilization), yet their young succeeded in learning what was necessary
to be successful adults.
So she studied what animals did with their young, and noticed that a
good amount of time was spent in 'play'...but that such play taught the
young animals the skills they needed as adults to survive. And the
reason it succeeded is because the learning was fun, the young WANTED
to participate in the activity that just also happened to teach them a
valuable skill...
So she developed a curriculum, and ultimately a type of school which
still bears her name, where children are educated via 'play'...albeit
directed play, activities that are so enjoyable the children WANT to
participate, and hardly notice that they are also learning in the
meantime...
>From what I remember of the Montessori school I attended, I looked
forward to going there every day, and absolutely adored the
instructors, who made every child feel worthwhile, and indeed was
encouraged to excel...
What a shock I got when I was switched over to a mainstream public
school! Where far from encouraging creativity and excellence, one was
encouraged to be mediocre and just 'be normal'... :-(
> but I do know that here in the
> community which I live, the "Montessori School" was recently closed
> by the State of New Hampshire apparently because of allegations of
some
> kind of abuse.
Well, I suppose anyone can allege anything in the name of 'abuse'...
In the school I attended, I don't remember the instructors ever having
to discipline anyone...if they did, it was no more than having to stand
in the corner for a few minutes...
> Also some parents of students of the "Montessori School"
> are very unhappy about the closing charging the State is interfering
> with the choice of where their children will attend school.
>
> Could this "Montessori School" closure be politically motivated?!
Possibly. Mainstream public educators have always been suspicious of
the Montessori method...because it takes a dedicated and talented
teacher to be a successful Montessori teacher, and one whose highest
wish for the students is NOT that they all conform so that it will make
the teacher's job easier. Montessori is hard work for a teacher...but
one with grand benefits, if one is TRULY dedicated to the concept of
truly educating the young.
Montessori encourages children to develop critical thinking facilities,
to figure out things for themselves, instead of the mainstream public
education method of just parroting rules and 'facts' for children to
parrot back...
I would imagine anyone who would prefer the public remain unthinking
'sheeple' would find the Montessori method threatening to maintaining
the status quo...
June
June
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