Can the Montessori Method of Teaching Help a Child with ADD?

For many children with ADD the normal method for education just does not adjust to their needs. Many of these children end up acting out or not paying attention during class. ADD or ADHD is characterized by inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity. There are three major types of ADHD; predominately hyperactive/impulsive, predominately inattentive, and combined.

The predominately hyperactive/impulsive type of ADHD is characterized by a child being always in motion. They run around, pull out multiple toys at once, talk continuously, have a hard time sitting still and will often wiggle or touch things when asked to sit still. These children also tend to not be able to control reactions, will blurt out inappropriate comments, show emotions without restraint, and have a hard time waiting.

Children with the predominately inattentive type of ADHD have a problem focusing on any one task for too long, unless it is an activity they thoroughly enjoy. Learning a new task or figuring out how to finish a task that has multiple steps is often overwhelming and difficult. Homework is extremely hard because they often forget to write down assignments or leave needed materials at school. These children often seem to be daydreaming, are slow when doing everyday tasks and are often lethargic. These children rarely have behavior or social problems and so there inattentiveness is often overlooked. The combined type of ADHD includes all of the symptoms listed in the previous two categories. Often these children will go through stages of hyperactivity followed by lethargy.

The Montessori method of education encourages learning through all five senses instead of just through listening, watching and reading which is how the normal education system teaches children. Children in Montessori schools learn at their own pace and are able to choose activities from many options. This type of learning encourages concentration, self-discipline and discovery. Children are free to move around a room and are not expected to stay seated in a desk. They can work on any less for any amount of time they choose. Papers are not given back to the students with corrections, instead the teacher observes each child and keeps records on areas where the child needs to improve and offers projects specifically designed to help that child learn a specific concept. If a child enjoys a certain subject a teacher will endeavor to help them learn other concepts through the subject as a way to encourage a love for learning.

In the Montessori method there are usually about 15 students to one teacher. The teacher does not give lectures to all the students, but instead oversees the student's activities and spends one on one time with each student so that she knows how they are doing. Character development is considered as important as academic subjects and the children learn how to cook, clean, build, garden, move gracefully, speak politely, be considerate and understand others feelings.

For many children with ADHD the Montessori method is a much better way to learn needed skills because they are able to work at their own pace. They are less likely to become discouraged because they do not get grades or corrected papers. They are also able to move around and learn through subjects which already interest them. They are also not required to be attentive during lectures, making it less likely that they will miss important information.

Many people then wonder if this method of teaching prepares a child well enough that they will be able to handle college and entering the workforce. Studies have shown that children who graduate from Montessori schools have no problems adjusting to learning at a college environment. They also often score higher than the average student on IQ test, standard education tests as well as social understanding tests. So essentially yes the Montessori method can be very beneficial for children with ADHD, but as with all things, each child is an individual and it is important that parents be watchful and notice if their child is having a problem.