This book consists of 22 chapters, which we can understand in different ways.
Speaking of Montessori's educational philosophy, it is actually four words-"return to the original". Does that mean you don't have to do anything? Of course not. It's hard. Let's take a look at the concrete expression of Montessori's educational thought as follows: "In order to establish a natural and reasonable method, it is extremely important to observe human individuals in a large number, accurately and appropriately. This observation is mainly in childhood, because this is the period when individuals form the foundation of education and culture. "
Read a few words here:
The first one is "a lot", which is very difficult for a full-time mother, not to mention a working mother who will return to work after maternity leave. Why do you say that? Because if you are a stay-at-home mom, a lot of housework actually takes up your time with your children. For working mothers, every day is nine to five, and the time you can spend with them is about three or four hours before going to bed at night. Of course, it is not easy to do a lot. The second is "accuracy". This is even harder. I am a new mother, but I haven't learned how to be a mother yet. It's hard to be accurate. The third is "appropriateness". This is a problem with accuracy. So after reading this concept, it seems that we can understand the difficulty of education.
So, what method does Montessori use to observe individuals?
The book introduces the methods from more than ten aspects, such as discipline, how to teach children, life practice, children's daily diet, muscle exercise, nature education, manual labor, sensory education, intellectual education, reading and writing teaching, and introduction to children's language and arithmetic. Generally speaking, these methods draw lessons from experimental science and empirical science.
What are the methods of experimental science and empirical science? For example, measurement, observation, recording ... But these do not actually represent scientific educational methods. Montessori believes that it is not enough to establish scientific methods only by mechanical testing! You also need the spirit of a scientist.
What is the spirit of scientists? It is to take the experiment as a way to lead them to explore the profound truth of life and uncover the mystery of things, and in the process of pursuing, they grow a love for mysterious nature from their hearts, so enthusiastic that they forget their own ideas. Just like those who have been working tirelessly under a microscope for years and become blind, those who inject themselves with mycobacterium tuberculosis, those who deal with the excrement of cholera patients and are eager to study the transmission route of the virus. You must have the spirit of a scientist and the sincere love of a Christian to start this kind of education.
After reading this, I have to admire this old woman. No wonder she became a world-renowned early childhood education thinker and reformer in the 20th century. Her educational philosophy can influence today, which is not unrelated to the scientific spirit in her philosophy. Continue to learn the specific methods of Montessori early education in the next issue!