Experiential learning is just what it sounds like: learning by experience. Maria Montessori noticed that children learn much better when they’re allowed to fully explore a subject on their own terms. Experiential learning is a core part of the Montessori method, and it can be a fundamental part of your child’s education.
Choosing Activities
Experiential learning is all about giving kids foundational memories and time to practice their new skills. Reading about photosynthesis might teach your kids a few fundamental concepts, but growing a seed from scratch will help them understand what plants actually need to thrive.
The best experiential lesson plans coincide with your child’s existing studies. If they’re learning math, try doing a cooking activity. If they’re learning about art, pull out the paints. As your kids get older, you might move from simple tasks to simulated activities, like having them run a virtual store or discuss a fake political situation.
Maria Montessori believed firmly that hands-on learning is the most effective way to teach a skill. As you plan an activity list, think about how your kids will be able to be personally involved in each task. Let them learn to dig, draw, cook, sew, build, and craft. Each of these skills can be tied in with lessons about different concepts and cultures, especially if you’re willing to be creative.
Facilitating the Activity
An experiential learning cycle has multiple phases: action, reflection, conceptualization, and application. In order for the lesson to be truly effective, your child needs to be able to try the task, identify what was important, and apply their new skills to another real activity. As a parent facilitating one of these activities, your lesson plan will probably look something like this:
Set up the environment. Create a distraction-free area with the day’s activity laid out for easy access. Kids’ eyes should be immediately drawn to the materials as soon as they walk in the room.
Explain what you’re doing. Start the lesson with a short description of what the activity is about. Don’t make the kids confused; a few sentences should be enough to get started.
Let the kids explore. Now it’s time to step back and let the experience happen. Be available to answer questions, but don’t try to control the activity.
Clean up the environment. Montessori students always pick up after themselves. As the parent, take care of the most difficult parts of the mess.
Reflect on the lesson. After the peaceful environment is restored, take a few minutes to talk about what you learned. Bring up ideas and answer questions, but let the kids do most of the talking.
Reapply the skills. In the days and weeks that follow, give your kids plenty of chances to use the skills they learned. Some activities are worth repeating, while others will prepare your kids to move on to the next lesson.
For parents, one of the most difficult parts of experiential learning is stepping back and giving up control. Your goal is to create a low-pressure environment where your kids feel free to learn and explore. Give them plenty of time, and have patience; if your kids feel comfortable, you’ll be amazed at what they can do.
