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Galway Advertiser 1989/1989_12_21/1989_11_16/GA_16111989_E1_008.pdf
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O'Connor
Dr. Mario Montessori, eminent child psychologist and grandson of the pioneer educationalist, Maria Montessori, was in Dublin at the Weekend to celebratelheDiam Jubilee of Association Montessori International. He lived and travelled with his grandmother for many years and was General Director of the International Montessori Association. He spoke to Mary O'Connor about his famous grandmother, Montessori education and the importance of good parenting today.
Dr. Mario Montessori, Child Psychologist and grandson of pioneer educationalist Dr. Maria Montessori, who was in Dublin at the Weekend.
The Discovery Of The Child
In 1877, when Maria Montessori was seven years old, she fell seriously ill. Her parents, a middle class Italian couple were afraid their only child would not recover. Maria sensed their fear and consoled them by saying "Don't be afraid, I've too much to do to die now." Her grandson, Mario is smiling broadly as he recounts this revealing incident in the life of the celebrated educationalist. He was 31 when she died and had accompanied her all over the world on her travels.
Maria Montessori went on to make a full recovery and return to school. She did not shine academical ly until she was 14 when she developed a passion for arithmetic and algebra. Such was her zeal that when her parents took her to the theatre, she would smuggle her arithmetic books in and read them in the half light. tor in Italy, but as a dedicated psychiatrist and educator, working first with retarded, and under privileged and then "nor mal" children. She began her pioneer ing work on behalf of children in one of the most appalling slums in Rome at the turn of the century. She reasoned the way to a deeper understanding of people was through the observation of children. The educational philosophy and techniques she developed proved suc cessful. Many of the retarded and maladjusted children she worked with went on to surpass the academic achievements of "normal" children. In terest in her work spread rapidly throughout the world and her methods were followed in homes, hospitals, child care cen tres, and schools. Her approach was based on extensive observation of and insight into children. The Montessori method has been called an in dividual approach which helps a child develop its personality at its own rata Most nursery schools in Ireland are privately run Montessori schools. Montessori teachers are there to guide the child and help him to help himself. The children may work in dividually or in groups but the emphasis is always on "guided freedom". udes charm and wit and enjoys a good laugh. He believes Maria Montessori gave a new orientation to work in school because she realis ed its psychological value. "Hopefully, a sufficient number of educators will share this insight and the responsibility that goes with it so there will be real and lasting changes in the educational approach of the future." He states the first six years are the most fun damental in a child's life. These are the years when important developments in language, social skills, in telligence, awareness and creativity take place "Children are dependant on adults at this stage. They can be moulded in any way one chooses. They have a great range of creative possibilities. But if the environment is poor in what it offers or com plex, the opportunity is missed." ing to understand your child." The number of things a child has learnt by the time he goes to school is phenomenal according to Dr. Montessori. Children's memories are like a book that is open to the world and everything they hear, see and experience is recorrVid on the pages without the slightest effort or difficulty. "The home is the first . learning environment. A child likes to learn, to be enchanted and it is easy to arouse his interest at this age Up to age six, a child's interest is directed towards adults. They may play with other children but they will not consider it important." While toys and books are useful, they are no substitute for personal con tact, conversation and ge nuine activity, he stresses. Television is bad for young children as it is too passive, he insists. Contact with mother and father is important as it was from them the child learned to love and respond, to listen and communicate. Then at last, he was capable of reading. For years he had watched me read that book and now he could read it himself. It gave him enormous pleasure." The child psychologist describes play as a learn ing process which is psychologically important to children. It allows them to explore possibilities, control events and escape from reality. He says there is a danger in today's society that children will grow up, not knowing how to play as they are so used to being entertained by television etc. On the role of religion in a child's life, he says children have a right to be acquainted with it as part of their education. It helps them grow up and puts life's difficculties and tragedies in a context of love and concern. "Montessori education acknowledges the impor tance of religion and has done a lot about it our schools. The religious education is in accordance with the religion of the child." Tb parents who think three to four years of age is too early to start the learning process the Italian psychologist replies "Nonsense". Most children benefit enormously from nursery school he believes. "We must take the in dividual child into con sideration. Some are very attached to their parents and are afraid of being left behind. Parents must doit in a way it doesn't become an issue. If a child is in a happy home, it's easier to make the change from home to school. The basic trust is there." The Future of Montessori Education? "It could be very positive as interest in pre school education is growing. The only problem is the number of pirates who are using the Montessori name but not providing the ser vice."
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Profound Influence
Dr. Mario Montessori remembers his grand mother as a handsome, in telligent woman, full of warmth and spontaneity. She was a devout Catholic and at one stage con sidered setting up an order of lay nuns, he reveals. She then went through a spiritual crisis and went to a convent to evaluate her life. With the help of her friend, a nun, she decided to dedicate herself to the life of the child. Mario Montessori acted as her private secretary and at all times has been associated with the Montessori Movement. Since 1951 he has been a member of the Board and later President of the Society for the training of Montessori teachers. He is in his late sixties, speaks four languages fluently, ex
Studying Medicine
"On impluse, she decided to study medicine at university. Her father strongly disapporved, but her mother agreed on condition she was chaperoned to and from college". "But the college authorities said no. A woman could not be admit ted, they insisted. Maria asked to see the Minister for Education. He discouraged her, but she went ahead and secured a place in medicine."
Inferior Beings
Historically, little thought was given to the importance of very young children, he says. They were considered inferior beings. "Society now claims it is child centred because a child can do as he wishes. But that's not child centred. Parents are giving their children too many material things. They try to show their child they love him by giv ing hime gifts and treats. But what is important is guidance and love and try
LADY'S MONTESSORI SCHOOL
(Opposite G A L W A Y BAY H O T E L )
E x p l o r e Possibilities
He recommends reading to children and says there is nothing nicer for a child than sitting on a parent's knee, listening to a good tale. "I remember reading a small, old book to my grandson, night after night. Sometimes I'd miss a word or a line and he'd leap in and correct me.
184 KINGS HILL, S L HL AT IL B O O K I N G N O W FOR J A N U A R Y TERM
CHILDREN FROM 3 YEARS
Pioneering Work.
She went on to distinguish herself not only as the first woman doc
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