Montessori observed that children less than six years old are clearly self centric and ego centric in action and attitude. Although, these qualities could have been interpreted as negative, but Montessori realized that this natural drive of young children can possible provide the focus and energy for their self development.
She envisioned of a program whereby a child could develop, with proper aide by the adult, into a strong individual capable of independent action, language, self discipline, and basic academic skills of writing, reading and mathematics.
Additionally, she noted that children less than six years old could go through specific and well defined periods of interest in certain areas of development. For example, there is a period of intense absorption with order, another for language, and another for learning to walk. During each of these time frames, varying in duration from months to years, the child is so focused on the particular development that he will ignore other phenomena previously of great interest to him. His energy level and dedication to his single minded task are extra ordinary but terminate just as abruptly as they began. Montessori called these intervals Sensitive Periods and the children in this plane of development as "Sensorial Explorers".
We, at buildingBlocks, plan to use these "sensory explorer" qualities of kids to really develop them into individuals capable of independent action, language and self discipline.
Showing posts with label primary education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label primary education. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Cooperative Concept of preschooling
Another method of preschooling popular in United States (am not sure if a mainstream form of this even exists in India) is cooperative preschools.
What is the cooperative concept of preschooling?
Many folks in US who cannot afford a traditional preschool, or can't find one with a philosophy that meshes with their own, consider looking for or even founding a cooperative school. These parent-run programs are usually less expensive than other schools (because of the sweat equity that parents contribute) and allow participating families to help decide what kids will learn and how.
In a cooperative preschool, parents take turns doing everything from managing the finances to washing the windows to assisting in the classroom. Usually, a professional teacher oversees the classroom, but parent volunteers recruit and hire her, serve as her aides, and help develop the curriculum.
Of course, this takes a good deal of time and energy. It's not a commitment to be entered into lightly. But many families believe it's worth it. Aside from the financial benefit and the direct influence over your child's education, you get the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded parents, to observe your child and his peers as they learn and socialize, and even to learn skills that could be valuable in your current or future career.
This is a great concept, however, is very difficult to scale up. Apart from getting parents excited about this concept, it may be extremely taxing on their time. With the unpreceedented growth seen in the job sectors, I have my doubts and concerns if parents would be able to invest this much time into their kids (irrespective of its worthiness).
buildingblocks may try to marry this concept with some of the traditional concepts of pedagogy. Of my experience talking to various educators and experts in the field of education, the more participation that we can have of the parents the more successful the program would become on all dimensions.
What is the cooperative concept of preschooling?
Many folks in US who cannot afford a traditional preschool, or can't find one with a philosophy that meshes with their own, consider looking for or even founding a cooperative school. These parent-run programs are usually less expensive than other schools (because of the sweat equity that parents contribute) and allow participating families to help decide what kids will learn and how.
In a cooperative preschool, parents take turns doing everything from managing the finances to washing the windows to assisting in the classroom. Usually, a professional teacher oversees the classroom, but parent volunteers recruit and hire her, serve as her aides, and help develop the curriculum.
Of course, this takes a good deal of time and energy. It's not a commitment to be entered into lightly. But many families believe it's worth it. Aside from the financial benefit and the direct influence over your child's education, you get the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded parents, to observe your child and his peers as they learn and socialize, and even to learn skills that could be valuable in your current or future career.
This is a great concept, however, is very difficult to scale up. Apart from getting parents excited about this concept, it may be extremely taxing on their time. With the unpreceedented growth seen in the job sectors, I have my doubts and concerns if parents would be able to invest this much time into their kids (irrespective of its worthiness).
buildingblocks may try to marry this concept with some of the traditional concepts of pedagogy. Of my experience talking to various educators and experts in the field of education, the more participation that we can have of the parents the more successful the program would become on all dimensions.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Montessori Association of India
On some further investigation of Montessori philosophy of pre-schooling and its presence in India, I was able to find some useful information about the Montessori centers in India.
The center offers both online and offline diplomas in Montessori training. It was very fascinating to find that Maria Montessori spent some part of her adulthood in India (precisely in 1939). Dr. Montessori was ousted from Italy because of her liberal views in general and opposition to Fascism in particular.
The Indian Montessori Association has predominantly taken inspiration from the works of Dr. Montessori in India, Mr. Joosten and Mr. Swamy. The center is currently headed by Mrs. Meenakshi Sivaramakrishnan.
The center plans to expand its base all over India. has it's headquarters in the IT city of Bangalore, Karnataka. They mostly promote themselves as a policy making body with an intention to have satellite centers in the different parts of the country (they have successfully achieved that in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
The center offers both online and offline diplomas in Montessori training. It was very fascinating to find that Maria Montessori spent some part of her adulthood in India (precisely in 1939). Dr. Montessori was ousted from Italy because of her liberal views in general and opposition to Fascism in particular.
The Indian Montessori Association has predominantly taken inspiration from the works of Dr. Montessori in India, Mr. Joosten and Mr. Swamy. The center is currently headed by Mrs. Meenakshi Sivaramakrishnan.
The center plans to expand its base all over India. has it's headquarters in the IT city of Bangalore, Karnataka. They mostly promote themselves as a policy making body with an intention to have satellite centers in the different parts of the country (they have successfully achieved that in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
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