The aim of Montessori pedagogy is the development of children while respecting their rhythm and their personality.

The Montessori method takes its name from Maria Montessori, the first Italian woman doctor. She built a pedagogical thought after working in an asylum with children considered to be fools. His ideas ? The child is an adult in the making and not a miniature adult, he learns by himself, he naturally and gradually absorbs everything around him thanks to his five senses, without effort, the adult must accompany him by promoting its autonomy, The basics of the method? Dedicated educational material, room for experimentation, manipulation and the five senses. 

The aim of Montessori education is not to transmit a pre-established knowledge to the child but to cultivate his own desire to learn and to discover. The child must develop on his own thanks to a favorable environment and his own motivation. The child is the trigger for his learning. Also, the teacher is a companion, a guide. Maria Montessori’s motto? “Help me do it on my own”! 

To achieve this goal, Montessori pedagogy is based on the following points:

Free choice

The free choice of the child’s activities is a fundamental point of Montessori pedagogy. Each student chooses such or such material. This choice is made possible by a material adapted to the size of the child and his strength. All activities are placed on shelves based within reach. The child can then settle down wherever he wants in the classroom and repeat this activity as many times as he wants. He also chooses when to stop this activity and then puts the material in its place. For Maria Montessori, the choice of activity is linked to the needs of the child, needs that change according to age. This is what she called the sensitive periods. 

Sensitive periods

Maria Montessori considered that the child is a being of potentiality guided by sensitive periods. During these periods, the child is captivated by his activity. He assimilates without difficulty, almost spontaneously an apprenticeship. The adult must respect the special needs that the child feels. 

Montessori pedagogy distinguishes several sensitive periods. Here are the main ones: 

The movement sensitive period

It begins in the womb and continues until the age of five. With time and activities, the child learns to control his movements and coordinate them. Movement participates in the emergence of consciousness: the child begins by seeing an object that he wishes to reach, then his intelligence becomes aware of it and finally his will pushes him to set in motion in order to grasp the object.

The language sensitive period

It begins at birth and continues until the age of six. The child acquires without great difficulty the language or languages ​​spoken around him. After this age, the child gradually loses this ability.

The order-sensitive period

It appears early in the first year and lasts two to three years. During this period, the child needs order and stability, which is why he attaches great importance to the place of things. This is why Montessori classes are very orderly.

The period sensitive to the refinement of the senses

It goes from birth until the age of six. The child attaches importance to sensory impressions of all kinds. He seeks to perfect his sensory organs (hearing, olfaction, sight and touch). Maria Montessori has perfected the sensory material which allows the child to refine his senses.

The sensitive period of social behavior

This period allows the child to imitate the behaviors of those around him and thus to understand them. 

Sensitive periods can take place at the same time. The free choice of activity allows educators to see in which period (s) the child is. 

A suitable environment

A suitable and rich environment makes it possible to meet the needs of children. Montessori classes are safe places, adapted to the size of the children, harmonious, clean and orderly. It includes specific educational material. 

There are 20 Montessori schools worldwide, 000 in France.

The majority of Montessori schools in France are non-contract schools. The prices applied by these schools are on average between 190 and 350 euros per month and per child, except in the Paris region where it is often necessary to count 400 euros or more per month and per child. 

How to ensure the seriousness of a Montessori school? 

Not all Montessori schools in France offer quality education with trained educators. 

The Montessori Association of France advises to go to a Montessori school for a morning or an afternoon to observe and ask what are the trainings of educators (the most recognized training center is the Institut Supérieur Maria Montessori which offers training for assistant educators and Montessori educators). 

There are schools that have signed a Charter of Montessori Establishments in France. 

https://www.montessori-france.asso.fr/page/166600-ecoles-signataires-de-la-charte-qualite