Imagine a school, in the middle of a garden, where children run around the butterflies freely, and observe the tiny little worms in the sand intensely; a school that has low steps, suitable gates, doors and windows convenient for them to operate.
Imagine a classroom with tables, chairs, mats, sinks, taps everything proportionate to the children’s size and the learning aids displayed in a manner that they could see, take and work with them independently; a classroom where they are allowed to work and learn whatever they are interested in.
Imagine how nice it would be if children were not to copy the same thing several pages and bi-heart tables. How interesting it would be if children learnt through their own experience and mistakes and not by merely listening to the teacher. How beautiful it would be if children learnt because of their own interest in learning and not for passing some examination.
Imagine a school where the children need not carry books and write examinations, where you learn Arithmetic, Geometry, Geography, Botany and Zoology along with reading and writing, without even being aware of it; where children learn the life skills, such as how to greet, how to talk, how to observe other children at work, when and how to ask for help, how to respect others and what to do when you feel like coughing, yawning, sneezing etc. and a class where they have the freedom to speak.
Imagine a classroom with three different age groups, where the older children help the younger ones and younger ones go to the older instead of approaching the teacher. Imagine a class where the children have the freedom to reject the teacher’s proposal of a lesson and have the freedom to ask for a new lesson.
Are you thinking this is a dream! No! This is not a dream. This is what an ideal Montessori Classroom is! Visit any Montessori school at any place across the world, this is what you find. This is the discovery of Dr Maria Montessori which is working for the last 100+ years throughout the world from America to Africa. It is a worthwhile experience.
Tagged classroom, independence, learning, Montessori
