Learning Theories Proposed by Montessori Piaget and Vygotsky
Uploaded by trigerman on Oct 31, 2011
This essay discusses the theories of education proposed by Maria Montessori, Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky; compares them, and suggests what classrooms might be like when the theories are followed.
I Introduction
Over the years, psychologists and educators have developed various theories about the way in which children learn. Understanding the way in which children receive and process information is of great value to parents, teachers; in fact, to everyone who understands that a society cannot develop if its children do not learn how to learn.
This paper examines the learning theories of Maria Montessori, Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky, then compares and contrasts them, and finally suggests the ways in which these theories might be used in the classroom.
II Montessori, Piaget and Vygotsky
Dr. Maria Montessori’s system is based on the idea that “a child learns best within a social environment which supports each individual’s unique development.” (What is Montessori?, 2002, PG). The principles on which the Montessori method rests are simple, but revolutionary in the history of education: that children are individuals, different from adults and from each other and are to be respected as such; that “children create themselves through purposeful activity”; that the most important years for learning are those from birth to age six; and that children learn from their environment, which includes other people. (What is Montessori?, 2002, PG).
In Montessori schools, children are placed in groups according to age (3-6, 6-18). They stay with the same children, and with the same teacher, for three to six years. In addition, they choose the projects and subjects they are interested in working on, and proceed to study in a non-directed method. There are no grades given, but the Montessori teacher observes the class closely and makes notes, keeping a “profile” on each student. The only requirements are those set by the state, or by college entrance examinations.
The class thus becomes less formal and structured that “conventional” schools, particularly as the older children often help the younger ones with the material. There tends to be more conversation in the classroom than in other schools, as well. The idea is to create a warm, nurturing, almost familial environment in which maximum learning can take place. (Olaf, 2001, PG).
Jean Piaget was a Swiss biologist and developmental psychologist. Like Maria Montessori, he believed that children learned in fixed stages, but disagreed about the timing...