Help from Periphery (Montessori)
From Montepedia
In Montessori education, Help from Periphery refers to the approach of presenting objects and activities in a way that encourages purposeful movement from the child. The periphery here denotes the part of the child that interacts with external reality through the senses and movement.[1] This approach operates under the belief that we should engage the child's hands and physical interaction as much as their visual perception, thus promoting active, hands-on learning.
Montessori Quotes
- "The hands are the instruments of man's intelligence."[2]
- "The development of the hand lags behind because we do not respect it enough."[3]
Research and Critiques
- Pros: The approach of help from the periphery aligns with research on kinesthetic learning and the benefits of physical engagement in cognitive development. This approach can enhance children's fine motor skills, spatial reasoning, and sensory integration.[4]
- Cons: Critics argue that this approach may undervalue other forms of learning such as auditory or visual learning. They also suggest that certain concepts may not lend themselves to physical manipulation and require more abstract thinking.[5]
Comparisons to Other Methods
While traditional education often emphasizes visual and auditory learning, Montessori education prioritizes hands-on activities and sensory experiences, reflecting a belief in the importance of engaging the whole child in the learning process.[6]
See Also
References
- ↑ Standing, E.M. (1957). Maria Montessori: Her Life and Work. Plume.
- ↑ Montessori, M. (1936). The Secret of Childhood. Longmans, Green and Co.
- ↑ Montessori, M. (1936). The Secret of Childhood. Longmans, Green and Co.
- ↑ Lillard, A. (2017). Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius. Oxford University Press.
- ↑ Egan, K. (2002). Getting it wrong from the beginning: Our progressivist inheritance from Herbert Spencer, John Dewey, and Jean Piaget. Yale University Press.
- ↑ Mooney, C. (2013). Theories of Childhood, Second Edition: An Introduction to Dewey, Montessori, Erikson, Piaget & Vygotsky. Redleaf Press.
