Special Needs Facts and Montessori Approach

 For those whose battle is using language, the Montessori approach is visual and hands on. Teachers demonstrate each work, & it is by watching the teacher (not hearing a lecture) that the students learn.

Additionally, the child then takes their turn to use the manipulatives. For instance, being able to touch beads as they count will assist them in understanding the concept of counting in a way verbally saying each number could not.

Children with special needs, such as learning differences or physical disabilities, often thrive in a Montessori setting.

Montessori teaching materials engage all the senses, important for students with distinct learning styles. Students learn by doing and are free to move about, an advantage for those who require a high level of physical activity. And each child has the lati...tude to learn at his own pace, without pressure to meet formal standards by a predetermined time.

Depending on a student’s needs, the school might refer him for additional resources such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, 1:1 aide, and/or counseling.

Nonetheless, some students may need greater accessibility or more support services than a given school can provide. In each situation, the individual's needs and the school’s resources should be carefully assessed to ensure a successful match.

During Dr. Maria Montessori's research and study, she worked with children with special needs. They were referred to as "juvenile delinquents" in the 1890's. As part of her work, she visited asylums in Rome where she observed children with mental disabilities. She has created a far more specific and organized system for children to apply everyday education for children with disabilities. These observations were fundamental to her future work in developing the Montessori Method that we see in our school today!

Pros when considering Montessori for a child with special needs:

              i.        The materials and the environment: The Montessori classroom is filled with beautiful materials that engage all of the senses. The materials are hands-on, therapeutic, enticing, and include a built-in control of error. In most cases they teach only one skill (or salient point) at a time. They offer a wonderful chance for children with special needs to use their hands to explore and learn.

             ii.        Multi-age classrooms: In Montessori, children are put into multi-age classrooms, so they can learn from older children, and help the younger children in the classroom. If a child needs to repeat a grade, they can do so without being “held back” while watching their friends move to a new classroom.

            iii.        Following the child: Montessori children are encouraged to work at their own pace, without the burden of competition, test scores, and grades. They are also encouraged to follow their own interests when it comes to reading, writing, and research. This kind of freedom allows the special needs child to flourish.

           iv.        Consistency: The multi-age classroom means a child is with a teacher for a 3-year cycle, allowing the teacher to build a strong relationship with the parents and the child. As well, the child doesn’t have the stress of always starting in a new classroom at the beginning of each school year.

The philosophy of Montessori: In Montessori, there is an emphasis on peace, cooperation, and respect, making it much less likely that a child with special needs will be teased or ostracized. Instead, the other children usually make an effort to accept, befriend, and encourage a special needs child

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