Discoveries of Dr Montessori - II

                        In sequel to my earlier post, Discoveries of Dr Montessori - I, few more points are discussed here below : 

7) SEVERAL TOPICS CONSIDERED TOO HIGH FOR THE CHLDREN ARE NECESSARY FOR DEVELOPMENT

                         Maria discovered after careful study that several topics, which were considered too high or out of reach for a child’s knowledge, needs to be discussed in a House of Children. For example, topics concerning Life and Death, love, envy, bodily functions, sex roles, social awareness etc… When these topics were discussed appropriately with suitable examples, Maria saw that the children were mature enough to collect the knowledge required.

8) DISCIPLINE NEED NOT BE ENFORCED

                             In the olden system of education, the teachers infused discipline on the children. But in Montessori method, a totally diverse impression of discipline is witnessed. Discipline is invented when a child absorbs an object of attraction and interest, which provides him spontaneous exercise and also a ‘Control of Error’.

                       In the House of Children, a child behaved well, taking care of himself and others. He showed disciplined behaviour in maintaining silence, handling equipments, and interacting with others. Also the freedom in control of their errors, their love for silence and the difference of opinion for rewards and criticism was clearly displayed.

9) DISCIPLINE MUST COME FROM WITHIN, NOT IMPOSED FROM OUTSIDE

                               Children build up vital social qualities where they behave in a very friendly manner with others, helping them as well as quarrelling with them sometimes. Dr Maria observed that the absence of adults does not influence their discipline or work. 

                                Maria discovered that discipline has two forms. Inner discipline is formed due to the inner urge to follow the rules for development and the Outer discipline depends entirely on this. So, even if discipline is imposed from outside, it should be independent to reveal itself from within. So, discipline and freedom are equally important.

10) REAL OBEDIENCE BECOMES REAL DEVELOPMENT

                               Real obedience is the basis of human values like love, respect, faith, honesty etc… in character training. When this real obedience is practised at the child’s free will, it leads to a superior satisfaction, which becomes real development.

11) A CHILD’S MISBEHAVIOUR IS CORRECTED BY TRAINING HIM SUITABLY

                             Maria often witnessed that children misbehaved badly by showing signs of destructiveness, disobedience and stubbornness. But in a prepared environment under a trained adult, children behave quite opposite, showing orderly, responsible, loving behaviour  Maria discovered that the misbehaviour of the child is due to the fact that the child does not find the right conditions for development. She termed this ‘ The Social question of the child’.

12) Many of the activities presented to the children in the Montessori Schools are the result of the observation and contribution of Dr Maria Montessori. They can also be termed under discoveries. For example, Exercises of Practical Life, The Silent Activity, Walking on the Line etc…

13) Above all discoveries, we could proudly say that the whole ‘Prepared Environment’ is the greatest discovery of Dr Maria, which bases various discoveries where a child can independently work on self-development for his individual and social life.

                                  We would undeniably agree that Maria is a genius and the whole credit goes to her for sacrificing her entire life for the welfare of child education through modern methods.