Maria Montessori's Theory of Learning Essay Sample

Maria Montessori's theory focused on children being independent and helping develop their own mind with very little teacher interaction. Montessori made sure to emphasize that early childhood education has a highly formative power over a person's adult development(Ornstein 123). Maria Montessori theory's main focus was on the children learning to perform practical activities and special exercises to help the students grow in their Practical, sensory, and formal skills. 

Montessori's theory is the only theory that I  connect with from what i've seen thus far. Mostly because when I worked at a daycare, this is how I went about my teaching style for the Infant room and the Three’s room. Being independent is something we all must learn at a young age for whatever reason, and it can be very important to learn such a skill at a young age. In fact, I had the opportunity to use this teaching style in my school I am shadowing at. A student approached me and asked me for help on a subject, and I guided the student to the answer versus me saying the answer or telling them to figure it out. 

One big way I will incorporate this into my classroom is allowing my students to be able to lead certain topics of conversations and lessons. Of course, I will teach them, and have guidance over them, but I want them to establish a voice for themselves and their education. I plan on asking/giving them opportunities to pick what activities they want to do, and guide them on how to correctly do it. This is obviously harder said than done with a group of 1st or 2nd graders, but I do believe it can be done with the right structure. When done correctly, this allows students to not only have a find for themselves, but also the opportunity to let me see the things they know how to do, struggle with, and like to do. 

My biggest thing that I love about this theory is that one of Montessori's big three contributions,  is that she is very big on the emphasis on how the school is a part of the community and parent support/participation are very big things. Without parent support and participation, there would be a disconnect from the students being able to achieve this kind of independence. I think its important for us to remember that without the parent support, students might feel like they cannot be independent.