In the ever-changing world of education, where research is always changing, and new studies are always coming out, there is one approach that has recently been growing and gaining more attention than ever before: Montessori education. Montessori education is an educational approach developed by Dr. Maria Montessori that emphasizes child-centered learning, self-directed activity, and hands-on, experiential learning.
In Montessori classrooms, children are encouraged to explore their interests at their own pace, using specially designed materials that promote independence, creativity, and critical thinking. The Montessori method values individualized instruction, multi-age classrooms, and a supportive, respectful environment where children can develop academically, socially, and emotionally. Key elements of Montessori education include mixed-age classrooms, uninterrupted work periods, freedom of choice within limits, and a focus on the child’s holistic development.
Personal Journey with Montessori
I first embarked on my personal journey with Montessori education during my time as a college student. This was before I had even embarked on my journey as a special educator. I saw the Montessori method used in a general education classroom and a Montessori-based charter school where I was observing for one of my education classes. This is where my love for Montessori began. I had never seen an approach to education that was so student-led. I enjoyed observing a classroom where students had the freedom to direct their own learning.
These students were not just sitting at a desk as I had seen in observations that I had seen at other schools, but rather they were engaging in math lessons counting on the floor, bouncing balls, and counting the number of times they hit the ground, or running with their friends and seeing how many times they were able to tag each other. Teachers were engaging with students’ learning and guiding activities to make sure that learning standards were being met. I was in love with the Montessori method.
When I became a special educator, I realized that there was a great deal of emphasis on structure, and although I do believe that students need structure, I struggled to couple this with the Montessori method that I found to be less structured. Still, I wanted to find a way to mold some of Montessori’s principles into my classroom.
Research in Montessori
When doing research on Montessori practices in autism, I found some astounding research explaining how Montessori’s methods can be highly beneficial for students with autism. I was shocked as I had never heard of Montessori methods being used for students with Autism. This is because students with autism benefit from having large amounts of sensory input and whole-body sensory activities. Montessori education allows for students to move around their space freely, examine their environments freely, interact with their peers, problem solve and explore their academics at their individual academic levels.
Visual Schedules
As a teacher of students with autism, I decided that to implement Montessori methods, I had first to make sure that the structures and routines of my classrooms were set and understood by my students. First, I made sure that my students understood how to navigate and use their individual visual schedules.
A visual schedule is a tool used to help individuals with autism and other developmental differences understand and anticipate the sequence of activities or events that will occur throughout their day. It provides a visual representation of the day’s activities, typically in a sequential order, using pictures, symbols, or words. Visual schedules are particularly beneficial for individuals with autism because they offer a clear and concrete way to communicate information, reduce anxiety, and promote independence and organization.
First-Then Cards
I then made sure that my students understood how to use their individual “first, then” cards. A “first-then” card is a visual support tool commonly used in educational settings, particularly with students who have autism or other developmental differences. The purpose of a first-then board is to help individuals understand and follow through with a sequence of tasks or activities by providing a clear visual representation of what needs to be done. It is similar to a visual schedule, although for a “first, then” board, students get the day broken up into even smaller chunks. After every activity that they finish, they have a clear understanding of what is next.
Token Board
I then made sure my students had a token board with a choice menu. A token board with a choice menu is a visual support tool used to reinforce positive behavior and promote choice-making skills in individuals, particularly those with autism or other developmental differences. It combines elements of a token economy system with a menu of choices, allowing individuals to earn tokens for completing tasks or demonstrating desired behaviors and then use those tokens to make choices from a selection of preferred activities or rewards. Every time my students engage in positive behavior, they earn a “token” on their token board. After ten tokens, students are able to choose one of their prizes from their choice menu. These prizes are often preferred activities that my students enjoy, such as sensory bins, trampolines, scooters, or games. It can be any preferred activity that my students work for.
Implementing Montessori Methods
Once all these supports and routines were set up in my classroom, I realized that implementing Montessori methods in my classroom was not only possible in my classroom, but my students thrived on the individualized instruction and sensory-rich learning experiences of Montessori education.
In math, my students, who had been learning about money, could create their own school store. There, they could buy food by learning about the different coins and bills and talking about their value. They were able to learn about addition and subtraction by giving change. Students engaged in English Language Arts lessons by crafting various letters from playdough and tapping each letter while vocalizing its corresponding sounds.
Implementing Montessori education principles had an unexpectedly profound impact on the rate of academic progress in my classroom. Remarkably, I observed that my students were meeting their goals faster than I had ever seen. Concepts that once seemed daunting became second nature as they embraced the Montessori approach wholeheartedly. Goals that had previously taken my students months to complete were being done in just weeks. I often had to go back and revise student goals because they were completing them faster than I had originally expected.
Tactile examples: Math/English Language Arts
Students with diverse learning needs thrive in a Montessori environment, where learning is individualized and hands-on. The tactile and hands-on experiences of shaping letters out of playdough not only made learning enjoyable but also facilitated a deeper understanding of concepts and applied student knowledge to real-world scenarios. The multi-sensory approach engaged students on a different level, helping them internalize concepts more effectively.
Moreover, the freedom and autonomy inherent in Montessori education empowered students to take ownership of their learning journey. With the ability to explore concepts and materials at their own pace, students developed a sense of confidence and independence. This newfound self-assurance translated into accelerated progress as they eagerly tackled new challenges and surpassed expectations. The personalized nature of the curriculum allowed me to tailor instruction to each student’s unique strengths and areas for growth, leading to remarkable breakthroughs in their learning.
The future of technology in Montessori Education
When looking at the trends in Montessori education today, I have seen a huge shift to add more technology or a digital presence in the Montessori field. Traditionally rooted in hands-on learning with physical materials, Montessori pedagogy is embracing the interactive possibilities of digital tools. However, it’s crucial to recognize that while technology can enrich learning experiences, it must never overshadow the essence of Montessori education. The integration of technology should be viewed as just one more multi-sensory tool in the Montessori toolkit—a means to augment, not replace, the tactile richness of hands-on learning. Rather than becoming the focal point of instruction, technology should seamlessly complement the existing Montessori materials and methodologies, enhancing students’ exploration and understanding of concepts.
Montessori Education and Students with Autism
When supporting students with Autism, it has been a seamless shift in my own classroom to add technology into our Montessori practices, as we already use technology as just another material to support students in understanding concepts. One perfect example is that many of my students use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. AAC devices are tablets that support individuals with limited speech or a speech and language impairment to communicate using pictures or phrases on an app.
In my classroom, students use the app Touchchat on their iPads. AAC devices, therefore are a seamless piece of technology that has its place in my Montessori practices. They help to facilitate social interaction and peer collaboration within the Montessori classroom. Students with autism can use these devices to participate in group activities, collaborate on projects, and engage in meaningful conversations with their peers. This promotes the development of social skills, empathy, and mutual respect among all students, regardless of their communication abilities.
Educational Apps
Another effective method of integrating technology into the Montessori classroom that I have seen greatly benefit my students is through educational apps. I often start my lessons in my classroom with a warm-up activity on the smart board to engage my students. My students love this part of our day, and it is a great way to teach them a skill digitally as a whole group before sending them to work in smaller groups with more tactile and sensory-friendly material.
For instance, in math, we have been learning about base 10 and counting by 10s. This has been a skill that has been particularly challenging for my students. I added a digital portion to my lessons where students count by 10s on a digital base 10 counter. After counting by 10s digitally, my students feel empowered to go and use physical counting cubes in order to support their learning in a tactile way. The results have been incredible.
I saw a 60% increase in the number of students in my classroom who could count by 10s to 100 who had previously been unable to do so. Therefore, as Montessori education continues to evolve alongside technological advancements and we start to see them merge, it is important that we, as educators, learn to balance core principles of hands-on, experiential learning while embracing the potential of digital tools to enhance student engagement and understanding. We cannot isolate technology from our Montessori practices when the world is constantly shifting towards a more digital presence, and we need to support our students in their understanding and ability to use technology.
Montessori: The Ideal Framework
By seamlessly integrating technology as another multi-sensory tool in the Montessori toolkit, educators can empower students, including those with autism, to thrive in a dynamic and inclusive learning environment. In retrospect, it became evident that Montessori education provided the ideal framework for nurturing my students’ academic and personal development. By harnessing the power of hands-on learning, individualized instruction, and student autonomy and marrying in technology in an ever-growing digital age. Montessori education enabled my students to surpass their goals with speed and confidence, setting them on a path to lifelong success.