Psychological basics to be followed when applying the Montessori Method to people with special needs

There are 4 basic principles we should take into account when applying the Montessori method with people with special needs, which are:

First principle: The activities applied should be at a simpler level than those applied to normal children.

The second principle: taking into account the characteristics of the mental development of children with special needs and their tendencies.

        (Education should pay attention to the rich stimuli that satisfy the child’s experience, as the “mentally disabled” child goes through psychological moments in which his mental readiness to accept information is strong, so we shouldn’t waste these moments.

The third principle: It is necessary to work with the child during the periods when he finds himself ready to satisfy his inclinations.

The fourth principle: Giving the child enough freedom.

Methods of applying psychological foundations according to the Montessori educational Method:

The Montessori educational method can be applied depending on different activities and exercises, for example:

1 – Social training to rehabilitate children with special needs to integrate into social life.

2 – Educational training aimed at providing the child with specific information, experiences, or skills.

3- Different senses development exercises:

• Sense of touch (the activity of sandpaper with varying thickness and degree of roughness)

-The sense of hearing by distinguishing different sounds and tones, such as the sounds of birds and animals.

• The sense of taste by distinguishing the taste, sweet, bitter, salty and sour.

The sense of sight by distinguishing shapes, lengths, colors and sizes.

4 – Exercises aimed at making the child self-reliant through the use of educational tools.

Examples of basic activities in the Maria Montessori School of Practical Life:

The following is a list of simple and important activities that can be made at home

-Opening and closing boxes, biscuit boxes and different types of doors and cupboards.

-Pouring cereal and water into a flask through a funnel.

-Folding and unfolding clothes.

-Lifting, carrying and placing objects that are sensitive or easy to break.

-Carrying a small floor rug.

-Folding and loosening the small floor rug.

-Lifting, carrying and then placing a chair.

-Polishing furniture, objects, windows and mirrors.

– Washing clothes.

– Bed-making.

Washing and drying kitchen utensils.

-Putting utensils in their place.

-Closing and opening curtains.

-Arranging the flowers in vases.

-Using scissors and handling them to a person.

-Handing a book.

-Carrying and turning on a tape recorder or something like it.

-Washing hands and face.

-Hair styling.

-Hair braiding (for girls).

-Tying shoelaces.

-Hanging clothes on a hanger.

-Greeting friends and strangers.