MONTESSORI MADNESS

The Montessori Madness by Trevor Eissler!

A Parent to Parent Argument for Montessori Education

The author of this book Mr.Trevor Eissler has presented a motivating and interesting comparison between teaching systems of Montessori and traditional schools.

The main features of the book are the following

Basis of the Montessori system:

Montessori education is designed to facilitate proper growth and development of a child. The child at birth possesses an “absorbent mind and develops just being in the environment. Infancy is the most important period of life, extends from birth till six years. This period is characterized from unconscious to conscious learning. The child possesses an internal pattern of development, and is significant for physical, intellectual and psychological growth. It is the sensitive period of order, refinement of senses and development of language. Montessori teaching approach is based on making the best utilization of sensitive period thru an enriched environment. Specially prepared environment to facilitate development and to aid in refining senses such as, visual, audio, olfactory, gustatory and Streognostic sense. Material work and planned activities aim to facilitate physical, emotional, social and intellectual developments.

Comparison of traditional schools with Montessori schools:

Observing a Montessori classroom the author noticed that children can work, with concentration, independency and confidence to satisfy their inner urge of learning. The concepts of reward and punishment does not exist in Montessori environment. The teaching approach is indirect teaching in a prepared environment; making the concepts clear through material work and introducing the concrete before abstract.

The name “The Montessori Madness” refers to the thought “its Madness that we stay stuck in tradition way of schooling” not realizing the real value of Montessori system.

I will recommend the book to young parents, teachers and all dealing with children. It has given brief and clear insight to Montessori schools’ system and procedure.