The founder of the Montessori education approach is Maria Montessori. Maria Montessori was born in Italy in 1870. She graduated from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Rome in 1896 and became the first female medical doctor. In his private research, he analyzed 'how children learn'. After these researches, he became interested in the fields of Psychology and Philosophy and became an Anthropology Professor in 1904.
The main purpose of Montessori education is; To enable the child to be independent. Montessori argues that the individual will reveal his potential as long as he is left independent. By designing the environment appropriately for the child; It allows children to access information by allowing them to explore the environment through trial and error. Children are allowed to find the learning path that best suits them. It is aimed for them to access information by using the tools provided for them. By enabling children to move as they wish, their skills such as creativity, self-confidence and problem solving are developed.
The basis of education is the 'absorbent mind principle'. Absorbing mind principle; It aims to reveal the child's mental activities. There is no compulsion to reveal mental activities, there are no planned or similar teachings. The child's development is supported by giving him/her a suitable environment and specially designed materials to explore.
Education covers children between the ages of two and a half and six. In Montessori classes, children of different age groups are educated together. Young children in the classroom; They receive support from older children on issues such as using materials. The information obtained from friends becomes more permanent and thus, it is aimed to strengthen friendship relations and communication.
The same materials are used in all classes and there is only one of each material in the classroom. If a friend has materials that the child wants to use; While waiting for his friend to finish his work and for his turn to come; They will learn to respect the rights of others and be patient.
Materials are specially designed according to the physical needs of children. There are clothes hangers, chairs, sinks, taps and tables suitable for your own height. kta. The materials used by children are not toys, but are made from real materials that adults use in their daily lives. All these materials are designed to be suitable for children's easy use and in weights and shapes that they can carry.
The materials are designed to ensure safety and control for children to explore the outside world. Their uses range from simple to complex. Discovering these on their own allows children to realize and regulate their own mistakes without being harmed when they make a mistake. These materials are designed as a three-stage presentation. These stages are recognition, comprehension and use.
The role of the teacher in Montessori education; provides observation and guidance. It acts in a way that encourages children's behavior. It gives children information about how to use materials and allows children to discover themselves. It observes the relationships between children and strengthens their communication.
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