Our two leading montessorians Munira Akhtar and Kaushy Lal conducted one day work shop at Bright kids Montessori in Hassan, Karnataka. This workshop was an awareness program for parents and teachers.

The session was all about Montessori philosophy and methods. Workshop was extremely interactive to bring more clarity for educators. These sessions help parents to understand Montessori method and their child too.

Munira Akhtar and Kausy Lal appreciated the focus and dedication of bright kids Montessori team!

Montessorians United team will look forward to meet this wonderful team again.

Nature plays an important role in child education

Dr Maria Montessori always said that “a child, who more than anyone else is a spontaneous observer of nature, certainly needs to have at his disposal material upon which he can work.”

Children by nature are cautious and careful about living beings around them -- be they animals, insects or plants. If they see a dry plant in need of water they will be anxious to water it as soon as possible. They keep collecting things from nature’s treasure like feathers, leaves, flowers, and straws. We may call it natural learning or learning from our environment.

A child experiences real joy when he or she sees ducklings early in the morning and butterflies of different colours. Children feel excited to place a seed in a garden and wait eagerly for a little plant to appear. They find extreme pleasure in exploring the natural environment around them. Children connect with nature beautifully. 

Montessorian Fariba took her class children out for natural learning

The Montessori Method helps children to build a strong connection with nature. The Method includes learning about animals and plants, the preparation of an aquarium, and cultivating plots for growing vegetables as a way to build upon this connection. In the Montessori method, teaching about nature and being with nature, both are equally important. Constant changes in our lifestyle lead to problems like childhood obesity, which presents serious health threats for children including heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, social and psychological problems.

Parents and educators should provide more and more opportunities for children to connect with nature and its surroundings so that they can explore more & more natural sciences.

Dr Montessori observes: “This kind of study methods have led to a spontaneous and purposeful exploration of nature and to a number of discoveries made by the children themselves.” 

Maria Montessori illustrated beautifully and scientifically four planes of development. Proven fact, It is a journey of a Child to his or her Adulthood. Montessorians United & Kido Montessori materials illustrated this fundamental aspect of child growth in self explanatory way. This can totally change your view of how children learn!

"Education should not limit itself to seeking new methods for a mostly arid transmission of knowledge: its aim must be to give the necessary aid to human development. This world, marvellous in its power, needs a "new man." It is therefore the life of man and his values that must be considered. If "the formation of man" becomes the basis of education, then the coordination of all schools from infancy to maturity, from nursery to university, arises as a first necessity: for man is a unity, an individuality that passes through interdependent phases of development. Each preceding phase prepares the one that follows, forms its base, nurtures the energies that urge towards the succeeding period of life." (From Childhood to Adolescence, p. 84)
                                                                                                           By Maria Montessori

http://www.businessinsider.com/tech-innovators-who-went-to-montessori-school-2014-3?IR=T

Sensitive Periods a term developed by the Dutch geneticist Hugo de vries and later discovered by the Italian doctor and educator Maria Montessori. The term refers to several phases of child development where a child is sensitive to particular type of interaction.

Montessorians united is sharing this wonderful discovery about first plane of Montessori philosophy in its own way.

 How Montessori materials and Intellectual toys enriches children as compared to gaming gadgets?

This process leads to Innovation

Once upon a time children used to play with toys provided by Nature – flowers, stones, shells, and branches. In those days, children made inventions because they were free to experiment. Mankind’s evolution provided children with different materials for toys -- wood, metal, and plastic.  But, today, our toddlers, preschoolers, preteens and teens are so fond of gaming gadgets that the offerings of Nature have taken a backseat. Undoubtedly, technology is the backbone of today's world and it helps children in aspects like observation and exploration, experiencing virtual reality, and learning new skills.

But this has reached such a stage where children are not even demanding any intellectual toys or material from their parents. They find unbelievable thrill and adventure in gadgets. But a rising concern among parents and educators is that these gadgets provide competencies like: observations, speed, physical challenges and skills with the help of technology but no training for innovation, patience, real life skills, and sensory development.  Parents are observing behavioural changes in their children with increased screen time, like frequent mood swings, sleep disorders, irritability, and short low attention spans. Children seem more inclined towards rewards rather than achievement and appreciation through other methods.

On the other hand, Montessori materials provide children with patience and skills in early childhood and elementary years. Montessori material was invented with a lot of research in science and child psychology. Prestigious toy companies are producing wonderful material for today’s generations. Parents should encourage their children to use all kinds of technology. Gaming gadgets are important to learn about new technology. But at the same time we need physical toys to feed a child’s mind.

Let the child think

Children are our future and their imagination knows no boundaries. This exploring mind is what parents and teachers should cultivate, and aid children to think independently. A simple thought is all that is required to groom new ideas that could lead to innovation.

So what does Montessori have to do with this? The Montessori system provides wings to your child’s thoughts in a constructive manner. The most important requirement for new thinking that a child needs is independence and patience from the adults in his or her life.

The Montessori philosophy encourages unconditional thinking, and provides an environment of opportunities and freedom where your children can experiment and think.