In this blog post we will take a closer look at the Pikler, Montessori and Waldorf methods that underpin all WOOD GRAIN LAB products. Each product is inspired by these methods to help toddlers and preschool children develop skills such as self-initiated play, self-confident, full attention etc. What all these methods have in common is that they are all based on child-centered learning.
Comparison of the Pikler, Montessori and Waldorf methods
The Pikler approach is all about finding a balance so that the child is autonomous, but at the same time has a safe environment in the places where they play. It is based on making the child happy, promoting personal development and taking account of their needs. To play the way he wants to play, thus encouraging self-initiated play. The method supports the child to have unhurriedand enjoyable quality time. Alongside this, motor skills, confidence and independence.
The Montessori approach is based on the belief that every child is a unique individual. It involves self-directed activities, hands-on learning and shared play, but children choose what they want to do and how they want to do it – nothing is forced on them. In other words, the method is responsible for the child’s independence. It encourages children to learn to act, think and make decisions for themselves. The method’s goal is to foster children’s cognitive and social skills, creativity and sensomotor skills development, so that they grow into confident and enthusiastic learners.
The Waldorf approach is well defined. It is a kind of three-step principle, involving the head, the heart and the hands – or thinking, feeling and doing. This means that the child must be accepted, regardless of the family/world he / she comes from. The child must also be brought up with love, and the third step is to give the child the freedom that encourages him to believe in himself. This is the foundation for the Waldorf method, which results in the involvement of every child.
Differences between the Pikler and Montessori methods
The Pikler method focuses on infants from birth (from about 6 months) to preschool age. For example, to use one of the products, the Pikler Climbing Triangle, 6 months is a very ideal time to start, as the toddler is learning to sit at this stage and will soon be ready to stand up. The Montessori method focuses primarily on preschool-aged children though early elementary (between the ages of 2.5 and 6 years old). At this age, children are most sensitive to the world around them.
In Pikler’s approach, parents or other adults are just observers, letting the child play on their own. In the Montessori method, on the other hand, if the child asks for help, the adult only gives directions and is only minimally involved.
Strengths of each method
Strengths of the Pikler approach establishes:
- Trust, peace between the toddler and the caregiver, which include attentive caregiving;
- Toddlers are never put into a position which they cannot get into by themselves;
- Self-confidence and self-esteem and self-initiated play;
- Allow babies uninterrupted time for play;
- Well-developed motor skills; mastered practical life skills.
Strengths of the Montessori approach establishes:
- Respect of the child as a human – children have a sense of control over their lives;
- The first role of the caregiver is to observe, and then to adapt environment to support the child’s changing needs and interests;
- Being taught to collaborate, communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts peacefully;
- Pre-school children repeat and consolidate their knowledge and skills and obtain social skills; the absorbent mind.
Strengths of the Waldorf approach establishes:
- Approach that is responsive to a child’s cognitive, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being;
- Children learn through immersion in unselfconscious imitation of practical activities;
- The overall goal is to “imbue the child with a sense that the world is good”;
- Children’s toys should be simple, natural, and open-ended. Undetailed toys must be made of natural materials;
- Encourages parents to embrace natural rhythms, foster creativity, and provide a nurturing environment for their children to thrive.
Conclusions
Each of the above methods or approaches is ideal for developing children’s basic skills, but the main conclusions that have emerged from looking at all the methods are:
- Respect of the child as a whole and complete person, even from the very moment they are born;
- Emphasize moving slowly and allowing children to develop on their own timelines;
- Based around the child’s natural development, with great emphasis on observation;
- Environments should be prepared for the child’s abilities and development stages.
- Let your child choose how they want to play (self-initiated play), how long they want to play, etc.