Ensuring that children have the skillsthey need to succeed in the digital age is one of the most important issues for21st century education.
Research has identified that studentsneed to develop specific skills to be attractive to digital age employers.These include: critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication;otherwise known as ‘The Four C’s.’
These skills can’t be taught byteaching children to memorize and repeat. They must develop these skillsthrough rich learning experiences that inspire them to master these skills overtime.
Critical Thinking
Montessori education encourageschildren to develop critical thinking skills by providing them with hands-onlearning materials.
Each Montessori material isspecifically designed to isolate one concept or skill, and has an inbuiltcontrol of error, which allows the child to ‘discover’ the outcome of thematerial independent of an adult.
The self-correcting aspects of thematerials encourage children to organize their thinking, problem solve in aclear way, and absorb the concept or skill area at their own pace.
The role of the Montessori teacher isto facilitate this learning process and encourage their students to understandand control their own errors. These critical thinking skills lay thefoundations for problem solving, analysis, and informed decision making.
Collaboration
The Montessori program encourageschildren to develop strong social skills through interactive learningexperiences and cooperative play.
This structure to the Montessorienvironment leads to the development of a harmonious classroom community, whichcreates the optimal learning environment for children.
Creativity
Montessori education recognizes thatcreativity is not a skill that is learned, so much as it evolves from a processof cognitive development. This process begins when the child is born, anddevelops spontaneously as the child’s intelligence becomes established overtime.
Creativity is crucial in Montessorieducation as it is viewed as a way that children come to understand their worldand construct themselves through self-expression.
The Montessori method fosterscreativity by providing children with an environment that allows for freedomwithin boundaries.
The guiding role of the Montessoriteacher reduces anxiety and fear of judgement, leaving room for exploration,concentration, and independent learning. Clear rules, a strong sense ofcommunity, and supportive guidance provide children with the environment neededto foster creativity.
Communication
In Montessori, the development ofcommunication skills is reinforced through the practical life and languageprogram.
Through practical life lessons in graceand courtesy, children learn to be courteous and respectful of others. Everyschool day students practice proper greetings, such as “please” and “thankyou,” and using eye contact when speaking.
The development of communicationsskills is also reinforced through the language curriculum, which immerseschildren in the world of spoken language, writing, and reading.
Montessori materials, such as thesandpaper letters, provide children with the foundations for identifying andwriting the alphabet.
Language materials progress indifficulty as children begin to learn site words and develop the visual andauditory tracking skills required for reading and writing.
Montessori and Digital Age Skills
So how does Montessori educationprepare children for the challenges of the 21st century? The preparedenvironment fosters self-disciple, responsibility, creativity, andindividuality through freedom of choice and a focus on independence.
The guiding role of the Montessoriteacher encourages students to follow their passions, learn from theirmistakes, and self-motivate.
Our classroom communities nurturecommunication and social skills by teaching children respect for themselves andothers.
The Montessori materials teach childrento think critically and problem solve through experience and practice.
Montessori education has beenintegrating the four c’s into early childhood education for more than 100years. For this reason, it is and will continue to be the best way to preparechildren for school and life success.
Reprintedfrom www.montessoriacademy.com
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