This podcast episode and article take a critical look at independence in Montessori practice, discussing Montessori materials, the dichotomy between work and play, an asset-based approach, the role of the adult and more. Sole Scuderi shares his experience of working in Montessori settings and explains that blended practice is considered best practice – merging different approaches and pedagogies with Montessori principles.

Read Sole’s article here:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/fostering-independence-in-montessori-settings

Listen to more:

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:

Montessori for sustainability – Sarah Cummins - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/montessori-for-sustainability/

Montessori in practice today – Sarah Thorpe – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/montessori-in-practice-today/

Learned helplessness: Are we setting children up for failure? – Dr Sue Allingham – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/learned-helplessness/

Episode break down:

00:00 – Sharing international pedagogies 04:00 – How is independence a Montessori value? 08:28 – Self-correcting materials 11:00 – Activities for everyday living/practical life 13:00 – The adult’s role as a guide 14:30 – Calm and order in Montessori classrooms 15:10 – Cultural area of learning – the map game 18:00 – Unlocking the child’s potential through independence 19:30 – The ‘horme’ concept in Montessori 20:00 – Adult as a guide vs co-constructor 21:30 – Sensorial area in Montessori classrooms 25:30 – Is there role play in Montessori classrooms? 31:00 – ‘Mainstream provision’ blending with Montessori provision 33:00 – Modern Montessori practice 33:39 – The concept of ‘work’ in Montessori classrooms 34:45 – Is ‘work’ contradictory to ‘play’? 38:00 – Learned helplessness can happen in Montessori classrooms 39:30 – Curriculum provision in Montessori 43:30 – Unlocking a child’s potential 48:00 – Montessori classroom myth 49:00 – Cycles of activities and tidying up 56:00 – Group presentations and activities 59:00 – In the moment planning 01:01:30 – The nature table – a strong Montessori influence 01:03:40 – Taking a critical lens but equally celebrating Montessori practice

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

Fostering independence in Montessori settings 01:06:48 Share

The Voice of Early Childhood

Sharing International Pedagogies

How is Independence a Montessori Value?

Self-Correcting Materials: A Key to Independence?

Activities for Everyday Living: Practical Life Skills

The Adult’s Role: Guide or Co-Constructor?

Sensorial Area: Developing Senses and Skills

Is There Role Play in Montessori Classrooms?

Modern Montessori Practice: Blending with Mainstream Provision

Curriculum Provision in Montessori: Balancing Work and Play

Unlocking a Child’s Potential: Myths and Realities

Group Presentations and Activities: In the Moment Planning

The Nature Table: A Strong Montessori Influence

Taking a Critical Lens but Celebrating Montessori Practice

Shownotes Transcript

Fostering independence in Montessori settings