Children love to take part actively in an event that suits their level of interest. In fact, while enjoying such an event if they come across any problem, they put their best effort to solve problems. The more the children try to solve problems themselves, their analytical skills and problem-solving skills improve.
Nurturing problem-solving skills is one of the main mottos of Montessori education. According to this scheme, all the children have problem-solving abilities but such potentials often remain dormant due to lack of practice.
A Montessori teacher ensures that kids should think deeply to solve a problem effectively. Children will come up with potential solutions when they will have total concentration. He/she makes sure that the child should get ample amount of time to figure out a solution. Any assistance, if needed should be provided only when the child fails to chalk out a fixation.
How do children react when they face any problem?
Children can be either extroverts or introverts. Extrovert children are highly energetic. They engage themselves in various activities and are big fans of exploring new dimensions. However, when they are stuck to some problems, they feel a bit upset because any interruption in their activity is not their deal.
These moments are actually the best ones where an educator can examine the diagnostic skills of the students and how much accurate are their methods of reaching a solution. It has been observed that students think vigorously to come out from the problem that hampers their activities. They apply techniques that have been found extremely flexible and useful.
Introvert children, on the other hand, initiates the problem-solving process in a different way. The basic problem of these kids is that they cannot ask for help. They are a tad shy and stay quiet most of the time. These kids are extremely good listeners and they also panic less.
Consequently, they focus more and their level of concentration is epic. They come with innovative ideas that have worked brilliantly. Children, irrespective of their nature will contribute 100% of their efforts if they feel that their engagement in some adorable activity is at stake.
Five Principles of the Montessori Classroom
Montessori method is being used in Montessori schools to encourage problem-solving skills in children:
Early childhood is the era when the curiosity level of children is higher than anything. The reason being this phase is the inaugural moment when kids undergo a metamorphosis. They come out from their home, leave a cozy ambiance behind, and head towards a new environment called school.
Everything seems new to the kids and a lot of new people are around them. Montessori teaching takes care of the growth and development of every child. Each and every aspect is being thoroughly examined. Parameters like mental health, communication skills, self-esteem level, critical thinking, analytical skills, problem-solving approaches, and many more are minutely checked in a Montessori classroom.
Dr. Maria Montessori formulated certain structures that have always helped the children to learn and understand everything easily. Besides the theoretical approach, Montessori methods focus on activity-based learning. Children working on any issue if follow these methods will be able to generate some fantastic ideas.
There are certain schemes that the Montessori educators are being taught in Montessori teacher training courses that can be implemented to nurture problem-solving skills in kids. This course has a great impact on the tutors because post-completion they can take care of the kids efficiently.
Finding the difficulty: Montessori education aims at making kids self-dependent. A Montessori educator always asks the child to express what is bothering him/her. Sometimes, children who are introverts and too shy to express themselves should be made comfortable by the tutors.
Whenever tutors will see that children are complaining about something, the first thing they should ask the kids where the problem is. In case, kids do not open up, the tutors must make them understand that unless they share their problems, they won't be able to fix them.
Once the problem is being discovered, the next step arrives.
Why is it affecting? This question is extremely important. To activate the problem-solving abilities in children, it is vital to know what is going on in the back of their minds.
Suppose, a child is not finding a box of crayons. A Montessori educator must understand the child's emotions and help him/her to figure out what is to be done. If the child is feeling low, the educator must ask him what should be done next? Depending upon the kid's answer the educator should explain if that method is correct or not.
Often, sadness in children comes out in terms of anger. Therefore, a child who is not fining the box of crayons might become angry and aggressive. In such a scenario, a Montessori teacher can help him/her to focus more and think of an alternative solution. Hence, the ability to solve problems in children will be effective.
Resist to answer immediately: The moment a kid comes up with a problem, an educator should resist himself/herself from answering immediately. As long as the tutor remains silent, the child gets the time to think.
A Montessori educator can ask questions like 'How do you think you can solve it?'. Sometimes kids love to accept challenges. Over here, the teacher can ask, 'This seems a complicated problem but will you be able to solve it?'. Such statements often boost up the eagerness of the students to find a solution.
Challenge the kids: Just as explained, kids often feel that accepting challenges and winning them will get them empowered. Montessori education uses this trait as an ace to develop critical thinking skills in students.
Allocate tasks to the children that enable them to think deeply and invent solutions to fix them. Such an approach will make sure that kids are getting a proper platform to activate their problem-solving ninja mode.
Appraisal: An important form of motivation is called known as appraisal. Once the kids are done with finding a solution, the teacher must praise them. This gesture will always motivate children to unveil the layers of the solution.
Aspirants or experienced teachers who want to be Montessori educators must undergo a Montessori teacher training course. A thorough analysis of the subject matter along with practical or real-life problems will be present in the due course.
Written By : Ashwini Chandra
