蒙特梭利教育與在家進行蒙特梭利/ Montessori Education and Montessori at Home
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蒙特梭利是誰？
瑪麗亞·蒙特梭利（Maria Montessori）於1870年出生於意大利。 1896年，蒙特梭利成為有史以來第一位獲得醫學學位的意大利女性之一。
瑪麗亞·蒙特梭利（Maria Montessori）通過觀察和分析進行了深入研究，並開發了一種教學方法，為兒童發展帶來了令人難以置信的成果。她於1907年在羅馬建立了自己的第一所"兒童之家"（Casa dei Bambini），並於1909年提供了她的第一門培訓課程。蒙特梭利方法的成功遍及世界，而瑪麗亞·蒙特梭利也對其獨特的，以孩子為中心的教育方式進行了廣泛的演講，建立學校並培養教育工作者和研究人員。
蒙特梭利教育與其他方法的區別是什麼？（信息來源：Associate Montessori Internationale）
蒙特梭利認識到兒童擁有與生俱來的學習慾望，他們所需要的是一個使學習得以進行的環境。
蒙特梭利支持科學知識，認同人類發展分為四個階段：出生到6歲，6歲-12歲、12歲-18歲和18歲-24歲。蒙特梭利定義了在這些發展階段中的教育方法。
蒙特梭利教室由不同年齡段的孩子組成（混齡教育），使孩子們可以互相學習，也可以互相幫助。
兒童可以按照自己的節奏自由地工作，可以從一系列具有發展挑戰性和適當的活動中進行選擇。
鼓勵孩子們進行探索，以便他們自己發現問題，犯錯並獨立糾正。
尊重每個孩子的個性，尊重他人，他們的社區和環境。
這種方法承認兒童對周圍的世界具有天生的興趣，並在正確的指導下能夠自我發展。
如何在家中進行蒙特梭利教學？ （來源：American Montessori Society）
家中儘量佈置得井井有條
使用兒童友善的佈置，在固定的地方放置孩子所需要的物品（教具，書本，衣服等），這也意味著孩子們知道在哪裡可以找到他們需要的東西，並知道有一個放置該東西的地方。有秩序的環境也減少了乾擾，讓孩子們專注於手上的任務。
簡化您的家庭環境使您的孩子了解自己的期望。在您的支持，鼓勵和一致，溫柔的提醒下，即使是幼兒也能夠將物品歸還他們應有的位置。
例如，限制玩具的選擇並在孩子的視線高度提供開放式的架子（而不是將玩具堆放在一堆的玩具箱），可以讓她看到所有選擇並將物品放回正確的位置。將較小的物品（例如拼圖，美術用品和積木）按類別分類到托盤或籃子中，使它們易於使用，您的孩子可以輕鬆地將它們收起來。
您可以把多出來的物品（玩具）收起來，當您觀察到孩子對當前可用的物品（玩具）變得厭倦或無聊時，就可以從保留的玩具中拿出新的物品（玩具），這將使她對玩新的和熟悉的收藏夾感興趣，並確保空間既乾淨又整潔，孩子也會對這些物品（玩具）高度重視和照顧。
臥室
所有年齡段的孩子的臥室都應整潔，並有明確指定的休息地方（床），自我照顧和穿衣場所。
為了培養獨立性和自尊心，應為孩子準備適合兒童使用的家具。例如，衣櫥應該設為孩子可以獨立使用的高度，並減少衣櫥中的選擇。臥室空間應提供睡眠，遊玩和工作的場所，並應讓您的孩子感到自己擁有自己的空間。
廚房
鼓勵歡迎年幼的孩子進入廚房，是支持孩子在家中獨立發展的最簡單方法之一。您可以在廚房的工作檯放上安全牢固的兒童協助椅，並邀請孩子來一起洗碗或準備食物。
如果您的廚房/飯廳有足夠的空間，請考慮使用適合兒童大小的桌子和椅子，以便您的孩子可以自己準備飯菜，舒適地坐著吃零食並輕鬆清理。考慮使用適合您孩子尺寸的優質餐具和其他廚房用具，而不是塑料的"玩具"廚房用品，這樣可以讓她學習在用餐和準備食物時正確使用"真實"物品。例如，使用孩子大小的水壺和小水杯，可以讓孩子在口渴時倒水，教她用實際的盤子做飯，並支持鼓勵他在照顧自己的需要方面的擁有自主權。
關鍵是要從一開始就將孩子在安排在您家庭的日常居家生活活動中（無論是幼兒還是青少年）。
所謂有準備的成年人：在教室裡，老師是有準備的成年人。在家裡，是你-主要照顧者。
觀察
花些時間在家中觀察您的孩子，不要干擾她的活動。她能夠維持合理的秩序嗎？物品是否存放在指定地點？如果不是這樣，您作為主要照顧者，應該要再考慮孩子的環境：是否選擇太多嗎？現有的物品不再變得有趣或具有挑戰性了嗎？您的孩子很難正確放置物品嗎？
專注和專心的能力是學習的一項重要技能。針對任何年齡的孩子，您都可以通過觀察，了解是什麼激發孩子興趣並製造相關的機會來促進孩子的注意力集中。為她準備適合的材料，以引起她探索事物的興趣，並讓她工作不受干擾，直到她準備選擇其他活動為止。
模仿，邀請與練習
模仿成功處理家務事並提供輔助的練習。
對於年幼的孩子，不需要在架上標記物品的擺放點，而是要向孩子展示物品的正確位置，並與孩子一起練習將其歸位。您可能需要展示好幾次某一種新技能，但是您的孩子很快就會記住該常規並自己掌握，同時她會為自己能夠做到這個新技能而感到自豪。
調適
根據您的觀察，對環境進行更改，以確保孩子的成功，興趣和獨立性。對於大一點的孩子，可以邀請他們一起工作，並且一起做出決策過程。給予孩子選擇，但請先確保您對所有可用的選項都感到滿意，因此無論孩子做出什麼選擇，您都可以支持孩子。
練習現實生活技能
蒙特梭利學生學習照顧自己和教室，並為他人提供幫助。他們洗桌子，整理架子，準備飯菜，並幫助年幼的孩子。除了對掌握現實生活技能的滿足感外，他們還將自己視為社區中的重要成員。
在家中，您也可以創建類似可以帶來回報的環境或者情境。孩子可以剝水果皮，放碗筷，折疊衣服，搭配襪子以及幫忙照顧寵物。
培養內在動力
當孩子們覺得自己的工作具有內在價值時，他們最願意學習。一些父母使用外部獎勵，例如津貼，小金星和基於功績的特權。但是蒙特梭利教育是基於這樣的信念：對自己工作的自豪感和愉悅感會產生持久而有意義的影響，而外部激勵則不會。從蒙特梭利的角度來看，我們應該表揚孩子的努力過程，讚賞他們的奉獻和堅持來完成任務而不是工作成果。通過對孩子們在家中所做的努力表示鼓勵和讚賞，您將幫助培養一種內在動力，這將伴隨他們的一生。
Who is Montessori?
Maria Montessori was born in 1870, in Italy. In 1896 Montessori became one of the first Italian women ever to obtain a medical degree.
Maria Montessori worked in depth research with observation and analysis, and developed a pedagogical approach which resulted in incredible outcomes for children development. She established the first of her "Casa dei Bambini" (children's house) in Rome in 1907 and delivered her first training course in 1909. The success of the Montessori method spread throughout the world and Montessori travelled and lectured extensively on her unique, child centred approach, establishing schools and a loyal following of educators and researchers.
What distinguishes Montessori education from other approaches? (source: Associate Montessori Internationale)
Montessori acknowledges that children have an innate desire to learn, and what they require is an environment to enable that learning to take place.
It supports the scientific knowledge that there are four phases of human development: birth to six, 6-12, 12-18 and 18 to 24. It defines its educational approach along these phases of development.
Montessori classrooms are made up of mixed age groups, enabling children to learn from others as well as learn by helping each other.
Children have the freedom to work at their own pace, choosing from a range of activities which are developmentally challenging and appropriate.
Children are encouraged to explore, so that they find things out for themselves, make mistakes and correct them independently.
Respect is given to each child for its individual personality, as well as respect for others, their community and the environment.
It is an approach which acknowledges that children are innately interested in the world around them, and with the right guidance, are able to develop themselves.
How can I apply Montessori at home? (source: American Montessori Society)
Getting Organized
Having a place for everything, on a child-friendly scale, means that children know where to find what they need, and have a place to put things when they're done. An ordered environment also has fewer distractions, allowing children to focus on the task at hand.
Simplifying your home environment enables your child to understand what is expected of her. With your support, encouragement, and consistent, gentle reminders, even toddlers are capable of returning items to their rightful places.
For example, limiting toy choices and providing open shelves (instead of toy boxes where toys are heaped in a pile) at your child's eye level allows her to see all of her choices and return objects to their correct places. Sorting smaller items, such as puzzles, art supplies, and blocks by category into trays or baskets makes them accessible and your child can easily put them away.
Keeping extra toys in storage to be swapped out when you observe your child growing tired or bored with the items currently available will keep her interested in playing with new and familiar favorites, and ensure a space that is not only neat and tidy, but also highly valued and cared for.
The Bedroom
Bedrooms for children of all ages should be free of clutter with clearly designated places for rest, self-care, and dressing.
To nurture independence and self-esteem, furniture for young ones should be child-sized and accessible. For example, a closet with low-hanging clothes and limited choices. Bedroom space should provide a place to sleep, play, and work, and should allow your child to feel ownership of her own space.
The Kitchen
Welcoming young children into the kitchen is one of the easiest ways to support your child's growing independence at home. A stool placed near the countertop will invite help with washing dishes or food preparation.
If there's enough space in your kitchen, consider a table and chairs that are child-sized, so that your young one can take part in meal preparation, sit comfortably for snacks, and clean up easily. Consider using quality silverware, dishware, and other kitchen utensils that are appropriately sized for your child, as opposed to plastic "toy" kitchen items, that allow her to learn proper use of "real" objects for mealtime and food preparation. For example, using a child-sized pitcher and small drinking glass allows your child to pour water when she is thirsty, teaches her to exercise care using real dishes, and supports her growing autonomy in taking care of her needs.
The key is including children in your family's day-to-day activities at home-whether they are toddlers or teens--as an expectation from the very beginning.
The Prepared Adult: In the classroom, the teacher is the prepared adult. At home, it's you.
Observe
Take time to observe your child at home, without interfering in her activity. Is she able to maintain a reasonable level of order? Are materials put away in their designated places? If not, you, as a parent-like the Montessori teacher-should consider the child's environment: Are there too many choices? Are the choices available no longer interesting or challenging? Is it difficult for your child to put items away properly?
The ability to focus and concentrate is an important skill for learning. You can help develop your child's concentration at any age by observing what sparks her interest and providing opportunities to pursue it. Set her up with the materials to explore what has piqued her interest, and let her work without interruption until she is ready to choose another activity.
Model, Invite & Practice
Modeling to successfully manage household tasks and providing assisted practice.
For young children, rather than labeling shelf spaces to signal where items go, demonstrate to your child an object's proper place and practice putting it away with her. You may need to demonstrate a new skill a few times, but soon your child will have memorized the routine and mastered it herself-and she will take great pride in being able to do it on her own.
Adapt
Based on your observations, make changes to the environment to ensure your child's success, interest, and independence. For older children, work together and include them in the decision-making process. Give choices, but be sure that you are comfortable with all of the available options, so you support the child no matter what choice is made.
Practice Real-Life Skills
Montessori students learn to take care of themselves and their classroom and to be helpful to others. They wash tables, organize shelves, prepare meals, and assist younger children. In addition to the satisfaction of mastering real-life skills, they come to see themselves as valued members of the community.
Creating an environment that encourages your child help at home can bring similar rewards. Young children can peel vegetables, fold their clothes, match their socks, and care for pets.
Nurture Inner Motivation
Children are most willing to apply themselves when they feel there is intrinsic value to their work. Some parents use external rewards such as an allowance, gold stars, and merit-based privileges. But Montessori is based on the belief that pride and pleasure in one's own work has lasting, and meaningful, effects that external incentives do not. In the Montessori perspective, even praise is given sparingly-saved to acknowledge a child's effort and encourage dedication and commitment to accomplishing a task, rather than the outcome of her work.
By expressing encouragement and appreciation for your children's efforts at home, you will help nurture an inner motivation that will serve them for life.