Little faces lit up by the glow of a screen. Chubby fingers adeptly swipe this way and that, choosing emojis, selecting videos, or maneuvering through apps.
Today’s world, full of devices in just about every home, is vastly different from what Maria Montessori knew over 100 years ago when she developed her education philosophy.
So, what would she have to say about this new addition to many children’s lives?
Many Montessorians swear off screens, claiming that they don’t fit in with the philosophy at all. Others welcome screens for children with open arms, believing that children must interact with technology from an early age in order to succeed in today’s world. Yet others take a more moderate approach, allowing some screen time for certain purposes, but limiting its use.
But, what would Montessori herself say?
Montessori: The Scientist
Before she became a teacher, Montessori was a doctor who followed the scientific method. In fact, that’s how she developed her philosophy in the first place: by carefully observing children.
For example, she offered children both toys and real materials. Then, she noticed that children preferred to work with the real thing. This became a central component of her philosophy: providing children with real materials with which to work.
When it comes to screen time, I’m sure she’d use the same approach. She might watch children using smartphones and tablets to observe their behavior. Or, she might read studies.
Based on what Montessori might notice or read, I must say that I suspect Montessori wouldn’t be a big fan of screen time, especially for young children.
Why? These studies and examples explain:
- Most experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization, recommend that parents limit their children’s screen time. Children age 2 and younger shouldn’t have any screen time at all, guidelines assert.
- In addition, other studies suggest that there are negative mental health outcomes, such as depression and anxiety, for children and teenagers who spend too much time using devices.
- Furthermore, another study showed that when young children spend too much time on screens, it can even be harmful to their development. This is because screens can’t replace real-world experiences that help kids develop their motor, language, and social skills.
- Other research shows that games and apps try, but fail, to teach children skills such as spatial awareness or size. For example, children might use an app in which they stack blocks or manipulate Legos. But, if the kids are then given these materials in real life, it’s like they’ve never done it before. The screen-time practice essentially gets them nowhere in learning important cognitive and motor skills. This is particularly relevant to Montessori, who designed special stacking materials like the pink tower because she believed that the experience of physically interacting with the world is a very powerful learning tool for young children.
- In general, Montessori advocated for children to use concrete materials and experiences to learn. That’s why Montessori math makes use of so many concrete materials, rather than teaching this subject abstractly. In addition, Montessori advocated for the education of the senses through smelling bottles, touching different textures, time outdoors in nature, and even preparing snacks. Can you do that with an app?
Despite this long list of negatives, I do think Montessori might see some positive sides to screen time. What are they?
When Montessori Might Approve of Screen Time
The Montessori curriculum includes the study of cultural geography, zoology, botany, and more. It also encourages children to explore reading and math facts. As students move into the elementary years and beyond, research skills become an integral part of the program. Digital devices have much to offer to enrich these areas of study. In addition, practical life skills related to use of screens also become relevant as kids grow.
So, how might Montessori include screen time? It would probably depend a lot on the age of the students.
Montessori on Preschoolers and Screen Time
Here are some appropriate ways preschoolers might use screen time in a Montessori inspired way:
- As a part of the cultural geography curriculum, preschoolers explore artifacts and images from countries around the world. Viewing videos and images of countries around the world would certainly enrich cultural studies!
- Many reading apps include Montessori-friendly activities such as choosing the correct beginning or ending sound of a word. For example, the app might have ” – at” displayed on the screen alongside a picture of a cat. Then, the child chooses the correct starting sound from the following group of letters “b, c, s, m.” This is valuable Montessori-inspired language practice.
- The Montessori zoology curriculum for preschoolers encourages children to learn in detail about different types of animals, like snakes. Videos and images of animals on a device are a great way to complement these studies.
- Children who are ready to practice math facts in addition or subtraction might enjoy using a math app that provides problems. They could even use this alongside their Montessori addition strip board or math beads.
- Creating! Kids might take pictures to later put in their nature journal. They might also video an animal, themselves or their classmates.
For this age group, I do believe Montessori would limit how much screen time children use. Children might be limited to watching a certain video once or twice, or to completing a certain number of words or math problems. This would help make sure that screens don’t replace other important hands-on classroom work and experiences.
In order to achieve compliance when it comes to limiting screen time, you can use Montessori discipline techniques at home that can even be effective in the face of defiant behavior.
With a bit of care and planning, I think it is possible to use screens in a way that Montessori would approve of, even with the little ones. It’s even easier to do so with older children.
Montessori on Elementary Aged Children and Screen Time
As children grow, their ability to use screen time productively also grows. Researching is one very important way children can learn to use digital devices. However, to do so effectively, teachers and guides must teach research techniques. For example, students might learn how to identify a reputable website. Or, teachers might teach students how to skim articles for headings, find definitions, or use a search query effectively.
These skills allow students to complete activities and projects such as:
- A research report on a specific continent or country
- A research report on an animal
- A persuasive essay about good nutrition
- An accurate diorama of an animal habitat or a biome
- Writing definitions of terms for math, science, or health
- Creating a timeline on a certain period of history
- Many more!
As at the preschool level, children might take photos or create videos using devices. These videos could be artistic in nature, or might be an alternative to writing an essay.
In addition, I think Montessori would encourage kids to learn practical skills such as how to write an email or make a phone call. At the elementary age and beyond, children may also be encouraged to learn how to purchase tickets to a museum online, or how to make a reservation at a hotel for an upcoming family trip. These practical skills are not only useful, but also build confidence and independence, which are central to the Montessori philosophy.
What Would Montessori Say About Screen Time?
Essentially, I think Montessori would say yes to screen time that serves a practical purpose and doesn’t have a negative impact on learning. Like with everything, Montessori would allow freedom within limits when it comes to screen time.
What about me? I take a middle-of-the-road approach.
Sometimes we look up animals online to see pictures and videos of them. The kids like sending videos, emojis, and voice messages to family members.
On their own, they sometimes watch videos and play the occasional educational app, but they’re not allowed unfettered access. My secret weapon to control screen time is setting an alarm ahead of time. When the alarm goes off, their time is up.
It’s not perfect. I don’t love that they watch Paw Patrol. But, it works for us and gives us all the occasional break. I like it best when we use screen time to broaden our world by exploring topics of interest and communicate with loved ones who are far away.
How do you think Montessori would view screen time? Do you allow your kids to have screen time? How much? What do they do? Tell me your thoughts in the comments below.