Maria Montessori was all about children learning through experiences in their environment, and manipulating their new found knowledge to help themselves and others, all for the greater good of mankind. Today’s reality is that our children are living in the electronic age. As their guides and mentors, we have a great opportunity to introduce the world via electronic resources; documentaries, cultural presentations, historical sources, audio and graphics. This added dimension, used in a controlled manner, can be a tremendous supplement to books, classroom lessons and the child’s life experiences.
In our classroom, older students have opportunities with teachers to employ technology encouraging creativity and boosting imagination. Reading comprehension using Accelerated Reader strengthens literacy skills and connects our families, teachers and children. Digital research is another advantage our older students can employ in their lessons. Children can learn more about topics in History, Botany, Zoology and Geography while connecting to a global classroom.
Maria Montessori was way ahead of her time and was a progressive woman. If she were alive today, I believe that she would embrace the electronic age as one piece of the children’s learning environment, to encourage and foster their creativity and imaginations.
