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Essay on Compare/contrast the Educational Philosophy of the Montessori
The education of the human child is of profound importance to anyone dedicated to achieving "the best within us," but especially to those who have, or wish to have, children of their own, and to those who are or wish to become teachers. What are the child's nature and needs? How are they different from those of an adult? How can we best foster the child's development so as to help him maximize his potential for productivity and happiness in life? Current research validates Montessori's ideas (Montessori, 1949). We believe that, on the whole, the philosophy of the child developed by Italian physician and teacher Maria Montessori, is most consistent with the Objectivist view of human nature, needs, and values.
Montessori's fundamental philosophy is respect for the child. The educational methods are designed to foster independence, critical thinking, perseverance, self discipline and self direction, as well as to promote order, organization, and the development of responsibility. Montessori education enhances a child's sense of self and others and helps children develop a healthy self confidence. The child's natural curiosity is observed and nurtured, creating a love of learning. Montessori believed the role of the directress (teacher) was to prepare a child oriented environment and observe each child's natural tendencies. The child is allowed freedom within this prepared environment to follow those innate tendencies along the natural path of development. Individualized instruction allows the directress to meet each child's needs at her own level of development .
Like all thinkers in the Aristotelian tradition, Montessori recognized that the senses must be educated first in the development of the intellect. Consequently, she created a vast array of special learning materials from which concepts could be abstracted and through which they could be concretized. In recognition of the independent nature of the developing intellect................
