What is 'Montessori' Learning?

In the UK, the term ‘Montessori’ learning is not necessarily all that well known. Indeed you may have come across the term for the first time whilst looking at our Learning Towers (or Montessori Learning Towers, as they are known across the US and Europe). Read on to find out a little bit about Montessori Learning…

Who is Maria Montessori?

 

‘Montessori’ learning is named after Italian physician Maria Montessori, widely regarded as one of the most important early years educators of the 20th century.  She was the first woman to graduate from the University of Rome medical school and through her work as a doctor developed her highly effective method of teaching. A true pioneer of child-centred education, her innovations of classroom practices and ideas have had a profound influence on the education of young children the world over.

What is Montessori Learning?

The Montessori approach is holistic and aims to develop the whole child. Fundamental to the approach is the belief that a child’s early years from birth to six are the period when they have the greatest capacity to learn.

Montessori saw that children learn best by doing and that happy self-motivated learners form positive images of themselves as confident, successful people. She created specially designed resources to foster independence and a love for learning from an early age.

Montessori left a legacy through her work that combines a philosophy of freedom and self-development for children with a practical approach. Emphasizing independence, it views children as naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a sufficiently supportive and well-prepared learning environment.

What are the principles of Montessori Learning?

Today, the Montessori approach has been distilled into a number of key principles which have been rolled out across specialist Montessori schools. These schools are defined by mixed age classrooms, greater student choice of activity from a prescribed range of options, large uninterrupted blocks of work time, and a thoughtfully prepared environment where materials are organized, accessible, and appropriately sized

How can I encourage Montessori Learning in my home?

Considering a Montessori school may seem like an extreme step for most of us. However, there are plenty of ways that we can incorporate some of the most valuable facets of Montessori learning into our every day lives.

Encouraging our children to work hands on with aesthetic materials, granting them a degree of freedom (within limits) and observing our child's characteristics, tendencies, innate talents, and abilities are all key.

Practically, setting our children up to become much more involved in daily activities, through inclusion and engagement, will go a long way!

So, what are Montessori Learning Towers?

Learning Towers are rapidly growing in popularity but are yet to make it into household vocabulary in the UK. They go by many names, including the kitchen Learning Tower, activity tower, kitchen helper, little helper, standing stool, standing step, toddler step, Montessori learning tower… the list goes on.

All that you need to know is that if you’re a modern family who spend significant time in the kitchen, the Learning Tower is as indispensable as the high-chair for your child’s development and inclusion. Whether its learning to bake, ‘helping’ with the cooking, or simply feeling included your child will cherish the magical moments you share in your kitchen.

We want our toddlers and children to grow up as engaged in family life as possible, and they do too! This is where the Learning Tower comes in…

Here at The Learning Tower Company have the greatest selection of Montessori learning towers, activity towers, toddler step stools and kitchen helpers in the UK. We work with the best suppliers across the UK and beyond to bring you a piece of furniture that fits seamlessly into your home whilst allowing you to connect and engage with your little one. Find your perfect solution in our easy to use Shop or read more about The Learning Tower Company on our About Us page.