ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT OF ECCD PROGRAMMES

Lesson 03: Application of educational philosophies / theories to ECE

Maria Montessori

Montessori Method has made a tremendous impact on planning ECE programmes. Montessori advocated a system of education whereby a child should be provided with an environment which will help him grow at his own pace.

Some of Montessori’s major views:

• Development of a young child is essentially a process of unfolding of the child’s inherent potentialities to learn and acquire knowledge.
  
• Any attempt at educating should be based upon the desire of the child to learn spontaneously. Montessori therefore observed children carefully, determined the kinds of experiences conducive to the growth of the individual interests of the child and prepared the classroom environment accordingly.
  
• Self activity
Self activity by the child leads to better and more permanent learning. The adult or teacher should be in the background. Her duty should be to prepare the learning environment in an organized way with appropriate material and only guide the child. The material should be preferably self corrective. From which the child will get immediate feedback about his performance and thus progress in his learning efforts.

• Training of the senses is essential
The child acquires knowledge through his senses. Therefore training of the senses is essential. To carry out this she has devised specific material and procedures which allow intensive stimulation of the senses in isolation.

• Exercises in practical life
Exercises in practical life should form an essential part of preschool programme. These exercises are aimed at helping the child become self reliant and efficient. Activities for developing readiness for reading and writing and number work should also be included as these would provide a sound foundation for later schooling.

• Readiness activities:
Activities for developing readiness - reading, writing and number work should be included as these would provide a sound foundation for later schooling.