M. Helfrich - Montessori Learning in the 21st Century: A Guide for Parents and Teachers

Montessori Learning
in the
21st Century

A G UIDE FOR P ARENTS & T EACHERS

M. Shannon Helfrich

Foreword by
Andr Roberfroid

N EW S AGE P RESS
Troutdale, Oregon

M ONTESSORI L EARNING IN THE 21ST C ENTURY

A Guide for Parents & Teachers

Copyright M. Shannon Helfrich 2011

First Edition Original Paperback

ISBN 978-0-939165-60-5

E-Book

ISBN 978-0-939165-61-2

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher.

N EW S AGE P RESS

PO Box 607

Troutdale, OR 97060-0607

503-695-2211

www.newsagepress.com

Cover and Book Design by Sherry Wachter

Distributed by Publishers Group West (Perseus)

www.pgw.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Helfrich, M. Shannon, 1949-

Montessori learning in the 21st century : a guide for parents and teachers / M. Shannon Helfrich ; foreword by Andre Roberfroid.

p. cm.

Summary: "A resource for teachers and parents interested in Montessori education and Dr. Maria Montessori's observations on child development. Discusses Montessori education and its viability in the 21st century. Explains the basic elements of child development through the lens of Montessori philosophy and neuroscientific findings"-- Provided by publisher.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-0-939165-60-5 (pbk.) -- ISBN 978-0-939165-61-2 (ebook)

1. Montessori method of education. I. Title.

LB1029.M75H45 2011

371.39'2--dc23

2011030995

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

DEDICATION

To Wilma, Margo and Ann

T here are many who have influenced the writing of this first book and I wish to acknowledge those with special distinction:

Ann Wittmann, who inspired me with a passion to write as a young college student and who still inspires me today

Dr. Margaret Novak Brown, who introduced me to Montessori philosophy many years ago and started me down a lifelong path of wonder and discovery.

My mother, Wilma McDowall Helfrich, who inspires me to be my best and who has encouraged me to write with my head and my heart.

Many thanks to Maureen R. Michelson, my editor and publisher, who never lost faith that this book existed somewhere inside of me and who helped me find my writers voice. I credit her with helping me learn the true art of writing a book and then shepherding the book through its many stages to the end.

Thanks to Sherry Wachter for the excellent cover and book design. Her insights and expertise, especially with photos, have been invaluable.

Thanks to Gyles Fohl for creating the diagrams and images needed throughout this book.

Last but not least, I am grateful for all the teacher-education students and the children who have inspired me over the years. Every day, my interactions with these students reaffirm the importance of Montessori education no matter where I am in the world. Children are children unfolding in the same ways, following the same developmental patterns, manifesting the same needs.

S ince becoming president of the Association Montessori Internationale, many friends have asked me, Why is a Montessori education a better way for our children? Others have told me, Education is facing a global crisis; why would an old method be an answer to a new problem? Since I joined the Montessori movement in 2004, I have carefully considered these questions.

Of course, most Montessorians, parents and professionals alike, will have an answer to these questions. Many will say that surveys and studies prove the validity of the Montessori approach. Some will elaborate on the scientific evidence of a childs development; others will refer to their personal positive experiences with a Montessori education. All of these answers are true, but they are not enough to convince some of my friends.

When I read Shannon Helfrichs book, it became clear to me that, at last, I found the answer! Many books have been written about Montessoris method, this one is about living with it

This book is not a theoretical essay; instead, it is the story of a lifetime of experience by a loving mother who is a passionate Montessori teacher and a dedicated teacher trainer. This is the culmination of Shannons learning, observing, reflecting, and practicing the Montessori approach to education for more than forty years. In addition, Shannon clearly has a deep respect for Maria Montessori, M.D., who was a brilliant and pioneering woman.

The most important message Shannon conveys in her book is the concern for the discovery of the child. It is often said that Dr. Montessori discovered the child as a true, complete human being with her/his individual potential and capabilities. What Shannon explains is that Dr. Montessori did not tell us who or what the child is, but rather gave us an elaborate and effective method to discover the child ourselves. What Shannon offers parents and teachers is not just another book to learn from, but an invitation to observe and understand childrenin fact, an opportunity to discover our own children.

For many years, Shannon has observed children in Montessori classes as well as Montessori teachers during their training. As a result, she has a deep understanding of Dr. Montessoris books and teachings, and an unequivocal confirmation that this educational approach is effective. Recent developments in neuroscience substantiate what Dr. Montessori observed and documented, and Shannon explains some of these fascinating findings about the brain and a childs development.

By watching carefully our children and using this book as a guide to observe intelligently what we see, every parent will understand the aspects of the Montessori environment, and the reasons why particular Montessori methods are used at particular times. The development of a human being from birth to adulthood is the result of different periods that correspond to a childs physical, intellectual, and emotional growth. Dr. Montessori called these periods the Four Planes of Childhood Development. Shannon walks her reader through each plane of development and explains how Montessori education supports a childs natural growth.