(Facebook/Tamera North)

By Brady Bateman

Montessori Method

P.A. teacher promotes a different approach to education

Apr 4, 2019 | 12:26 PM

A Prince Albert teacher and author is aiming to open up new avenues for those looking into alternative teaching styles for their children.

Tamera North has been involved in Montessori teaching for more than 20 years, and teaches the method at Prince Albert’s Montessori Daycare. Her new book is brimming with creative ideas for parents interested in different ways of educating youth.

The Montessori Method of Education, developed by Maria Montessori, is a child-centered educational approach based on scientific observations of children. It features a variety of tactile approaches to educating children, and focuses on observing children’s interests and building on them, rather than teaching a standardized curriculum.

“I would definitely say the environment is different, and the style of teaching is different,” North said.

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“Instead of standing up front and saying ‘OK we’re going to do this, we’re going to do that’, it’s more that we follow the child’s development, we spend a lot of time observing and going ‘OK they are interested in this, so how can I introduce activities that can help in what they’re interested in.”

North noted another key difference between traditional teaching styles, and the Montessori Method is the inclusion of different age groups. She added some Montessori based schools will include older children in teaching younger children, which leads to older children assisting those who are younger, and the younger students learning from and being inspired by their elder counterparts.

North’s new book, 101 Ideas for Developing a Confident and Skilled Child, focuses on ways for parents to introduce the Montessori Method into their child’s education, and is filled with a variety of tactile and visual elements.

“It’s an easy step-by-step guide visually, there are a lot of pictures, for parents or educators to put together learning materials in a simple and easy way,” North said. “It’s very hands-on and can help with things like the child’s dexterity and their motor skills.”

North was inspired by her own experiences as a new mother, dealing with a child who had interests in non-conventional items, which she said challenged her as a mother to find activities to challenge his development, and help him as much as possible.

A book launch will be held April 6, at 10 a.m. at the Union Center. The book is already available through a variety of online and physical vendors, and can be purchased through North’s website.

“After being a stay at home mom for quite a while, I went back to teaching and I introduced these learning materials I had provided for my son into our Montessori daycare program, and the kids absolutely loved them,” North said. “That spurred me to think I should make a book and make this information available to everyone.”

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Brady.bateman@jpbg.ca

On twitter: @TheDigitalBirdy