The statement “Help me to do it myself,” a well-known quote by Maria Montessori, reflects an educational proposal centered on the child’s independence and autonomy.
According to this approach, which we embrace, the child should be encouraged to develop his or her own skills and explore the world through active learning. By providing the child with a prepared environment and appropriate materials, the child can learn through self-direction and self-correction. The goal is to develop self-confidence as well as the ability to deal with challenges independently.
In the Montessori method, education is based on the consideration that children have an innate desire to learn. The environment plays a crucial role in fostering this desire, and teachers are called upon to create a suitable (prepared) environment and carefully observe children to meet their needs. In addition, the educational tools used are designed to promote exploration and independent learning, encouraging children to develop their skills through practice. Another key concept in Maria Montessori’s philosophy is that of self-correction: materials are designed so that children can detect and correct errors on their own, thus promoting personal responsibility, a sense of achievement, and the development of a critical, autonomous mind.
The freedom given to children in applying this method is accompanied by a sense of responsibility made gradually more conscious. Children learn to manage their own time and respect the spaces of others. This fine balance between freedom and responsibility helps cultivate social awareness and self-control.
In conclusion, Maria Montessori’s statement “Help me to do it myself” defines a method that is based on trust in children’s intrinsic desire to learn, which encourages them to explore, learn through hands-on experience and develop their own critical sense.
