There are plenty of aspects of the Montessori educational model that make it a wonderful choice for children with special needs, but it’s also important to recognize that there are aspects that can make learning difficult for this group of children.
Pros of the Montessori Method
When it comes to a child with learning disabilities or developmental delays, there are some pros to teaching them via the Montessori method. The pros include the following:
The materials and environment
A Montessori environment is filled with materials that are meant to engage all of the senses and tend to be hands-on, therapeutic, and enticing for children. In most cases, Montessori materials teach one skill at a time, which is less overwhelming for children with disabilities, and they encourage exploration and learning.
Multi-age classrooms
The Montessori method focuses on multi-age classrooms where children can learn from older peers and act as mentors to younger ones. If a child needs more time to learn a specific set of skills, they can repeat the grade without being held back and watching their friends move out of the classroom.
The child-led method
The Montessori method encourages children to work at their own pace, and it denounces competition, scores, and grades. Children are encouraged to follow what they’re interested in, which allows children with special needs to flourish.
A consistent routine
Children will stay with the same teacher for three years at a time, which allows teachers and students and parents to build strong relationships. This also takes away the stress of starting over in a new classroom each year.
The Montessori philosophy
Montessori emphasizes peace, cooperation, and respect, which lessens the likelihood of bullying at school and in the classroom. In a Montessori environment, everyone is welcomed and embraced where they are.
Cons of the Montessori Method
In order to create the best educational experience for your child with special needs, it’s essential to look at the cons of choosing the Montessori method. The cons include the following:
The class size
Class sizes in a Montessori school tend to be larger than in a traditional school, since the model is focused on children helping each other instead of being led by the teacher at all times. If a special needs child needs a lot of one-on-one attention, they might not receive it as generously as they would in a traditional school.
Independent work
Montessori is focused on fostering independence. After a brief presentation, children are encouraged to work on their own. A child with learning disabilities may find it difficult to focus, or they might not understand that type of interaction.
Lack of special services
Many Montessori schools are private, which means they might not be able to offer special services for a child with learning disabilities or other delays—unlike public schools, which are required to offer such services.
Is Montessori Right for My Child?
With communication and the act of incorporating the Montessori method at home, Montessori education is possible for children with learning disabilities and other delays. If you’re curious about how your child could fit into our program, get in touch with us at Austin Children’s Academy today.
