What Maria can teach us about children’s sports Jeff Beedy Ed.D
I first became intrigued with Maria Montessori’s work at Harvard where I studied with renowned child psychologists Carol Gilligan, Lawrence Kohlberg, Robert Selman, and Sesame Street founder Gerald Lesser, and taught Social Reflections of Literature for Pulitzer Prize winner Dr. Robert Coles. My doctorate was in human development with a focus on cognitive, social, and moral development in children. Later, as the interim head of two Montessori School in Alabama and California, I was able to see first hand how the Montessori approach creates a respectful learning culture. When children feel safe, listened to, and respected, the likelihood of helping the child realize their potential is greatly enhanced.
During my years leading Montessori schools, I seldom witnessed yelling or disrespect. Instead, I experienced laughter and joy. Teachers developed respectful methods, such as color and number games, to direct children to line up after recess. This may sound simple — but it worked, and, even more important, the children were almost always ready to learn. The children felt empowered and moved quickly and confidently through their assignments and challenges. The most obvious reason for this phenomenon is that the teachers began with a deep respect for the child.
The teachers were respectful and very successful in creating a peaceful environment in which to take risks. The students were attentive, respectful and curious. One might wonder in what ways does Maria Montessori’s principles of teaching and learning apply to children’s sports? Are things to be learned by studying he Montessori Method and how it applies to youth sports? Consider the following Maria Montessori principle. “Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us by reason of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future.” What if youth sport coaches and leaders adhered to this principle when coaching children in Youth Soccer and Little League Baseball? Would our children’s sport experiences change for the better? If the Montessori children are so respectful and intrinsically motivated than maybe we should apply some of the Montessori principles to children’s sports. I understand sports are different than school, but it is also true that in both arenas there is a common thread — the children.
Principles of the Montessori Prepared Environment
- Movement & Cognition. Movement and cognition are closely entwined, and movement can enhance thinking and learning. …
- Respect the child
- Not adult-driven
- Choice. …
- Interest. …
- Extrinsic rewards are avoided. …
- Learning from & with peers. …
- Learning in context. ….
The Secret Weapon
These are just a few principles of the Montessori approach. It is true that sports are often thought of as competitive activities and the classroom less so. Although this maybe true to a certain extent the above principles help to create a safe and respectful learning environment for any activity. As coach Wooden claimed “you have not taught until the student has learned.” A youth sport community based on many of Montessori’s principles allows for respectful and deep learning to take place. Over the years, I have also learned that a team that respects each other ironically wins more games. I have witnessed this at the youth level and at the very competitive collegiate level of competition. I call it the secret weapon.
