Self-discipline: The Montessorri Approach

Maria Montessori 1870-1952 was the founder of an approach to education which would later become known as the first holistic, child centered approach to learning. Montessori believed the first six years of a child's life to be extremely important and great emphasis should be made placed on developing all aspects of the child. Maria Montessori developed her own set of resources to use in her own schools and these tools are still used widely today, not only in the 600+ Montessori schools here in the UK.


Maria Montessori was the first
women to graduate from the University
of Rome Medical School

 

"The greatness of the human personality begins at the hour of birth." - Maria Montessori
 

Among the key principles of the Montessori approach is the promotion of self discipline. Montessori believed the best way to promote self discipline is through role modelling and a child's freedom to choose their own activities.

"...an individual is disciplined when he is master of himself and he can, as a consequence, control himself when he must follow the rule of life." - Maria Montessori
 

For example, in a Montessori Nursery children have the freedom to choose which task they will participate in, which are often laid out in separate trays on shelves. However there may only be one of each task. a child is free to use the the tools for as long as they wish but they must pack away each task and return it to the shelf for other children to use before they begin a new one. This gives children the chance to work alone or if they so wish, invite others to join them in the task. This also teaches children patience and how to wait their turn. The freedom given to the child satisfies their innate urges and promotes deep engagement in the task. Then from this secure place for learning in which the child feels comfortable and free, self-discipline can emerge.

In this video children can be seen choosing their own tasks and involved in practical work both independently and with others.

 

"A child gains self-confidence as he feels able to participate usefully in the society around him... In practical work self-discipline and competence are gradually developed. they come as the child and adult live in mutual respect..." - Covington Packard
 

In a Montessori primary school self-discipline is promoted through the child's involvement and contribution to their own daily and weekly learning plan. Children have certain tasks to complete in an agreed time frame. Through learning to balance their social life and education within this setting, children learn that they have a responsibility to themselves and to those around them. Babara Isaacs, Academic Director at Montessori Colleges International (MCI) argues that adolescents who have learnt this self-discipline and responsibility for themselves are likely to find their teenage years must less challenging.

Last April, Prime minister David Cameron was criticised for suggesting that children should be made to stand when an adult or teacher enters to room. In an attempt to address the discipline problems in UK school Cameron wanted to see;

 "Children who stand up when their parents or teacher walks in the room. Real discipline, rigorous standards" 

 

 

Critics responded that Mr Cameron had overlooked the fact that disruptive behaviour is more likely to be the result of children mirroring the attitudes of parents who have little or no respect for authority or the education system.

Creating a harmonious environment and a level of mutual respect is something which is fundamental to beliefs of the Montessori approach. Last year in March the DfE recognised the potential for the Montessori to have an effect in the role modelling of children by their parents and the Montessori charity was awarded a tender to provide the 'Free 0-5 years Parenting Classes' in the London Borough of Camdem as part of a wider government pilot scheme across four areas of the UK. Barbara Isaacs of MCI suggests that the real solution lies in 'working in partnership with parents.... and creating a shared ethos'.

Unfortunately one year on from the launch of the free parenting classes an assessment has shown that as few as 2% of eligible parents have taken advantage of the scheme and one in five do not complete the course. For more information on this see the following link:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2013/mar/24/free-parenting-classes-scheme?CMP=twt_gu



References and other useful links:

Isaacs, B., 2012. Understanding the Montessori Approach. 1st ed. Oxon: Routledge.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/04/20/pupils-should-stand-up-teachers-classroom-david-cameron_n_1440123.html

http://www.montessori.org.uk/mci_training/about_mci

http://www.montessori.org.uk/news/news/parenting_success_for_montessori!_montessori_st_nicholas_is_delighted_to_announce_that_it_has_won_a_dfe_tender_to_provide_free_0-5_parenting_classes_in_the_london_borough_of_camden