EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT

Lesson 14: Contributions of Western Philosophers to Early childhood education

Basic Ideas in Her Educational Philosophy

• She believed that education must help in the complete unfolding of the child’s individuality
• Suitable environment should be provided so that the child may grow and develop her potentiality. The children needs training of different types through exercises which are instrumental in giving them motor education, sensory education and education for language development.
• She was against material rewards and punishments. According to her, material rewards are unnatural incentives and punishment leads to forced efforts on the part of the child.
• She believed that every child is unique and the rate of progress is also different for each child. Collective methods of teaching crush the child’s individuality.
• The first six years of life is the most crucial period of a child’s life when the teacher can capitalize on the natural energy of children.
• Montessori asserted that the senses are the gateways of knowledge. Their training and development helps in the acquisition of knowledge throughout life. She pointed out that the senses are very active during the early years and a lot of learning takes place during this period.
• She also attached importance to motor and physical development as a part of the early education of children.