Princeton, New Jersey, clinical child psychologist Dr. Beth Grosshans has 25 years of experience working with a variety of adolescent patients and their families. Over the course of 13 years as a course instructor at the Princeton Center for Teacher Education, Dr. Beth Grosshans provided child development education to teachers pursuing work in Montessori schools. She enjoyed a strong relationship with Montessori educators for the duration of her career.
Children enjoy a number of benefits when learning in a Montessori classroom compared to students at a traditional school. A child-centered approach to learning, for example, is a cornerstone of Montessori education. Each student is afforded the opportunity to learn at his or her own pace and is encouraged to pursue topics that generate a natural curiosity. Aspects of child-centered learning can be seen in every element of a Montessori classroom, including child-sized furniture and a classroom design that puts every educational aid within the child’s reach.
Despite this highly individualized approach to learning, Montessori students also enjoy numerous opportunities for cooperative play. Every station in a Montessori classroom has been designed to facilitate a love of learning in children, while cooperative interactions provide insight into important topics, such as community building and respect for others.
Lastly, Montessori educators are regarded as facilitators of the learning experience, or guides, rather than lecturers or all-knowing authoritative figures. This approach to the teacher-student relationship, like most elements of a Montessori classroom, has been implemented so that children can form their own learning styles and continue to pursue knowledge, rather than push back against excessive instruction.
