Topic 2. Outstanding teachers

Task 4. Read the text about Montessori Method and answer the questions after it.

Montessori Method

There are a number of key principles of so-called ‘Montessori method’ which are still used in Montessori schools world-wide and widely copied and adapted elsewhere. Let me summarise these briefly now.

Firstly, there is the belief that children learn better if they are placed in what is called an ‘enriched environment’ – that is an environment which stimulates the senses through pictures, sound, colour, touch, etc., and in which the children themselves can choose from a wide variety of activities. Children need a wide range of activities from which they can choose what they’d like to do, rather than everybody having to do the same thing at the same time.

Secondly, the idea that children learn through purposeful activity, not just play, but activities with a purpose, for example, making something, drawing pictures, etc. given a choice, children will choose work rather than play. Toys which do not serve a specific purpose are therefore discouraged.

And thirdly, in order that children develop confidence and self-esteem, they should always be treated with respect and should be allowed to develop at their own pace – a sharp contrast to many of the disciplinarian attitudes which were prevalent at the time when Montessori was developing her ideas.

Having looked at those principles, let’s look briefly at some of the key events in Montessori’s later life before summarizing her influence on the world of education today.

In her later years, Montessori travelled widely, spending several years in Spain, India and the UK. It was typical of her energy that, even in her seventies she remained as active and dynamic as ever. She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize on three occasions – in 1949, 1950 and 1951. She died in the Netherlands in 1952. She had previously insisted that she was buried there rather than in her native Italy as she considered herself a ‘citizen of the world’.

The influence of Montessori is still widely felt today. She was among the first to put the learner at the centre of the learning process. As she wrote herself ‘We teachers can only help the work going on, as servants wait upon a master.’ There are now thousands of Montessori schools in more than fifty countries, and former students include Jacqueline Kennedy and the British royal princes, William and Harry.

1) Why do you think Maria Montessori is considered such an important figure in education?

2) Explain what are the principles of ‘Montessori method’? What do you think of this method?

3) Have her ideas influenced the way children are educated in our country, do you think?

4) What facts can you tell about Maria Montessori and her life?

Topic 3. Children’s needs

Task 5. Read the text and answer the questions after the text.

What do children need?

It is very important for every teacher and parent to find an individual approach to a child. Being a parent is probably the most difficult and demanding job people ever do. The idea of bringing up a perfect child is unrealistic. The most important thing to remember is that there is no one correct way of bringing up a child. If we provide the child’s needs, children from all different kinds of social, religions or cultural backgrounds can still grow up to be happy, well-adjusted adults. Many parents find it difficult to understand what their children need. Remember: your feelings and emotions must be natural and sincere.

Children have three essential types of needs – emotional, physical and intellectual. You may not be able to meet all their needs as you would like. What matters is doing the best you can.

Love is the most vital need of all. If you can love children without expecting anything in return, they will grow up feeling more confident and positive about themselves and more able to love others. Children need a lot of praise – not just for achieving things, but for trying too.

As for physical care, it includes warmth, regular nutritious meals and plenty of rest. Most children feel more secure if a few things happen at roughly the same time every day and any changes in routine are explained to them. Try to provide a variety of creative interesting things for your children to do.

Encourage them to explore and take on new challenges if you think they are ready for them. Your interest and praise will help to build their self-esteem. Talk to your baby or child as much as possible and encourage them to talk to you.

Independence means encouraging them to learn to do things for themselves, like getting dressed and feeding themselves. It also means allowing them to make choices sometimes, perhaps about which clothes they wear or which toys they prefer to play with. Children deserve to be treated with courtesy, just like adults. They should be told about decisions which affect them, like hospital visits or separations. They have rights, too. But don’t forget to teach them to respect grown-ups: their parents, grandparents, teachers, etc.

1) What essential types of needs have children got?

2) What is the most vital need of all children’s needs?

3) Why do children need praise?

4) What does ‘independence’ mean when dealing with children?

5) Which way do children deserve to be treated?

Task 6. Decide if the following statements are true or false.

1) Physical care, it includes warmth, regular nutritious meals and plenty of rest.

2) Do not talk to your baby or child as much as possible and never encourage them to talk to you.

3) Children shouldn’t be told about decisions which affect them, like hospital visits or separations.

4) It is not very important to teach children to respect grown-ups: their parents, grandparents, teachers, etc.