EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT

Lesson 14: Contributions of Western Philosophers to Early childhood education

The concept of Children’s House

The Montessori house / school consisted of a set of rooms for intellectual work for individual play and a club room for play games and music, a dining room, a dressing room and a garden.

• The Montessori system is child centered. The child is free to choose the activity his or her desire. Yet, there is structure with freedom.
• The educator structures the activities so that their performance leads to a certain development.
• The child is free to proceed through the activity at his/her own pace.
• Individualized teaching is the focal point of the Montessori Method i.e. the teaching strategy is evolved individually for each child, based on her needs and interests. This enables the child to progress at his or her own pace and promotes optimal development.