Do Montessori teachers teach?

This is one of the great questions that Montessori teachers receive, and of course which has many answers.

Recently, I received this question from a visitor who had spent time watching one of our converted Montessori classrooms. The visitor was surprised to see the teacher sitting and watching keenly on the children and seemed to be taking notes rather than teaching. This gesture did not appear comfortable to the visitor who expected to see the teacher taking control of the teachings.

This also reminded me one of Dr. Maria Montessori quotes that “Education is a natural process carried out by the child and is not acquired by listening to words but experiences in the environment” –

Teaching in a Montessori classroom does not involve the teacher taking the lead or being the focal point in every lesson or activity. This is one aspect that is misunderstood by many who get a chance to observe at any Montessori classroom.

Montessori teachers do not teach, instead they are thoroughly trained to observe and guide the children to explore and teach themselves.

SayamaYin Yin OO keenly observing her class in Myanmar

The Montessori teachers are also trained to prepare an attractive environment that connects and calls for the child’s attention to direct their own learning. With the use of fun activities, Montessori teachers also demonstrates and models to children on how to conduct themselves in the classroom as members of the same family, while being aware of each child’s needs at a particular moment.

Observation is the first task of a Montessori teacher which requires preparations and an ongoing cycle to see through all the happenings in the classroom. Through observations, the teachers are able to get development picture for each child at a given moment. And therefore, Montessori teachers know so well when to step back on the observation chair to observe, and this somehow answered the visitor’s question. 

Our recent updates!

It has been a while since we posted new happenings, and we are delighted to make a comeback with an exciting continuation of our journey in Mawlamyine- Myanmar.

As usual we began by providing the teachers with a two week in-house- basic Montessori training in May, with a view to equip them with basic Montessori principles and more especially to enable them link the children to activities and experiences in the prepared environment. The first week we focused on the theory and lesson presentations while the second we created few materials for child use. The training was also attended by many participants from other organizations and schools around Myanmar.

In house- basic Montessori  training - theory session.

In connection to this, we have converted Shwe Naut Taung School with a total of 100+ children who will benefit from the Montessori program.

At the moment we are at the first stages of guiding the children to develop order, coordination, independence and concentration through the various practical life activities. We have noticed an interesting natural drive need as the children want to do things for themselves, repeat activities over and over and act accordingly with so much joy.

I can wash my own hands!

For instance, the hand washing and drying using the individual hand towels has stimulated conversations among children as they spend time outside admiring and talking about the arrangement of the towels. This has also brought a sense of achievement among the children as they have gained confidence by learning how to care for themselves after using the toilet, after wiping their noses and before eating.

“The exercises of practical life are formative activities, a work of adaptation to the environment.” Dr. Maria Montessori.

Now ! the actual work has begun …… please come back for some more updates as the children gradually progress.