Our 3-pronged approach to Child Development.
While the main focus of an alternative educational system should be to address the shortcomings of the mainstream school, it should also provide for the knowledge and intellect the mainstream system imparts.
The time-tested, scientifically studied and peer-reviewed Montessori pedagogy encompasses a holistic, inter-disciplinary approach to the child’s social, emotional, physical and intellectual development.
Learning in the Montessori environment can be categorised into key study areas –
Language is based on phonetic awareness. Children work through specific hands-on and tactile language materials such as the sandpaper letters to the moveable alphabet. Language is not an isolated topic but runs through the curriculum. The spoken language is the foundation for writing and then reading.
Mathematics is developed with the use of concrete learning materials. The sensorial area is the preparation for mathematics. Hands-on materials are used such as number rods, sandpaper numbers, number boards, spindle box, number tiles, beads, and games. Each exercise builds upon another and the child gradually moves from concrete to abstract areas such as place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and fractions.
Child psychology, the study of children’s mental and emotional development, forms the bedrock of Montessori education. This educational approach deeply integrates psychological principles to support children’s natural growth and learning processes. Montessori education is designed to respect each child’s intrinsic curiosity and developmental stages, a concept aligned with Jean Piaget’s theories of cognitive development.
A critical aspect of Montessori education is the prepared environment, which is meticulously arranged to promote autonomy and self-directed learning. Children choose activities suited to their developmental stage, fostering independence and problem-solving skills. This environment supports Vygotsky’s concept of the zone of proximal development, where children engage in tasks they can master with minimal guidance, enhancing their cognitive and social abilities.
Social and emotional development is also central to Montessori education. Multi-age classrooms create a community where younger children learn from older peers, and older children develop empathy and leadership skills. The Montessori method nurtures emotional intelligence, self-esteem, and a love for learning, creating a supportive space for children to grow into confident, capable individuals. By honoring each child’s unique developmental journey, Montessori education lays a strong foundation for lifelong learning and well-being.
Emotional development in children is a complex process that involves several interrelated facets crucial for overall well-being.
Emotional regulation encompasses the ability to manage and respond to emotions in a healthy manner. It involves recognizing and understanding one’s own emotions and developing strategies to cope with feelings such as frustration, anxiety, or sadness. Effective emotional regulation is foundational for maintaining mental health and fostering resilience.
Behavioural control is another key component of emotional development. It pertains to the ability to manage impulses and behave in socially acceptable ways. Children who develop strong behavioural control can better navigate social rules and expectations, reducing conflicts and promoting positive interactions. This facet is essential for creating harmonious relationships and a stable social environment.
Interpersonal skills are also integral to emotional development. These skills include empathy, communication, and the ability to build and maintain healthy relationships. Developing strong interpersonal skills enables children to connect with others, understand different perspectives, and respond appropriately to social cues. This not only enhances social competence but also supports emotional well-being by fostering a sense of belonging and community.
Lastly, Self-awareness plays a vital role in emotional development. It involves understanding one’s own emotions, strengths, and limitations. Self-awareness allows children to navigate their inner experiences and engage with the world in a genuine and informed way. This facet is crucial for personal growth and the ability to form authentic connections with others.
Together, these facets form a comprehensive foundation for healthy emotional development, enabling children to thrive in various aspects of their lives.
Just like how there is nothing called “a perfect child”, there is no such thing as “a perfect parent”. Parenting is a journey of trial and error with constant albeit incremental learning and progression.
When you parent, it’s crucial you realise you aren’t raising a “mini-me”, but a spirit throbbing with its own signature. When we know this in the depths of our soul, we tailor our raising of them to their needs, rather than molding them to fit our needs.
Even when we have the best intentions of encouraging our children to be true to themselves, most of us unwittingly fall into the trap of imposing our agenda on them. This is a key reason so many of our children grow up troubled and in many cases plagued by dysfunction.
Each of us imagines we are being the best parent we can be, and most of us are indeed good people who feel great love for our children. It certainly isn’t out of a lack of love that we impose our will on our children. Rather, it stems from a lack of consciousness. The reality is that many of us are unaware of the dynamics that exists in the relationship we have with our children.
Until we understand exactly how we have been operating in an unconscious mode, we tend to resist opening ourselves to an approach to parenting that rests on entirely different ideals from those we may have relied on until now.
Traditionally parenthood has been exercised in a manner that’s hierarchical. The parent governs from the top down. After all, isn’t the child our “lesser”, to be transformed by us as the more-knowledgeable party? Because children are smaller and don’t know as much as we do, we presume we are entitled to control them.
The beauty of a conscious approach to bringing up a child is that, rather than trying to apply a technique and hoping it’s the right one for the particular situation, consciousness informs us moment-by-moment how best to go about the task of parenting. Even when we are called upon to discipline, consciousness shows us how to do so in a manner that bolsters our child’s spirit rather than diminishing it.
As you muster the courage to abandon the control inherent in a hierarchical approach and step into the spiritual potential of a circular parent-child dynamic, you will find yourself free of conflict and power struggles.
Villa D, Sai Anugraha,
#27/1, Rukmani Street Extn.,
Besant Nagar, Chennai – 600090.
