Montessori Philosophy
Montessori educational philosophy is characterized by significant freedom during the learning process. One of the major goals of this method is to create lifelong learners who are eager to explore the world. Students are free to choose from a variety of activities, and they move from one task to another at their own pace (Santrock, 2017). The approach is widely used in many private schools in the USA and other countries. However, like any other educational framework, it has its advantages and shortcomings.
One of the benefits of the approach is its focus on the social aspect. The groups are big, and children interact with each other working on different tasks. This framework is characterized by the use of student-centered training. The teacher is not an instructor but a guide who helps in the acquisition of knowledge. Children explore the world around them and gain knowledge holistically. The interdisciplinary approach is often beneficial.
However, the Montessori paradigm also has certain downsides. One of these is rather a loose curriculum. Many students may benefit from a more structured approach. The transition to the school with a conventional educational philosophy can be rather difficult as well. The focus on students’ autonomy can have adverse effects as students may be less effective team players, while such skills will be necessary in their adulthood.
On balance, Montessori is a unique philosophy focusing on students’ creativity and autonomy. Many students can benefit from such training. However, this educational paradigm does not fully equip students with the skills necessary during their adulthood.
Child Prodigies
Child prodigies are children who have high IQ score (130 or higher). One of the characteristic features of these students is their intrinsic motivation to learn and explore. It is noteworthy that in the vast majority of cases such children display interest in one area (Santrock, 2017). Santrock (2017) adds that many educators and researchers believe that children who excel in some disciplines are often regarded as prodigious, which is quite an erroneous approach. Another peculiarity of such students is their social isolation or alienation.
Gifted children often process information at a higher pace as compared to their peers. This ability makes these students feel bored when they have to wait for the rest of the class to keep up. If such an environment persists, gifted students may lose their interest in studies (Santrock, 2017). Another outcome of being gifted is prodigy children’s inability to fit in the group. Their interests differ from those of their peers, which makes it difficult for them to develop proper relationships. Gifted children often choose to focus on their needs and explore the subjects they are most interested in. These children can also have difficulties with developing relationships with their parents. In some cases, parents push too hard, which leads to the occurrence of barriers between them and their children. In other cases, prodigy children can feel that their parents (as well as teachers) are not competent in many or some spheres, which leads to the loss of respect.
In conclusion, gifted children tend to have difficulties associated with the social aspect of their lives. The development of relationships is undermined due to the lack of similar interests, respect, and motivation to have social ties. Therefore, it is important to make sure that gifted children’s needs are met, and they live in the atmosphere of respect, understanding, and care.
Reference
Santrock, J. (2017). Life-span development (16th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.