THE MATHEMATICS AREA IN MONTESSORI METHOD

Diplomsko delo z naslovom Področje matematike v Montessori pedagogiki je sestavljeno iz teoretičnega in praktičnega dela. V teoretičnem delu je najprej predstavljena Maria Montessori, ki je razvila posebno učno metodo, ki so jo kasneje poimenovali pedagogika Montessori. Metodo je razvila na podlagi opazovanja otrok, za katere je razvila posebne čutne pripomočke – materiale Montessori. Opisani so tudi temeljni pojmi pedagogike Montessori, ki so srkajoči um, občutljiva obdobja, polarizacija pozornosti, pripravljeno okolje in razvojni materiali, opisan je tudi vzgojitelj po konceptu pedagogike Montessori. Nato pa so opredeljene značilnosti materialov Montessori, podrobneje materiali na področju matematike. Praktični del diplomske naloge je razdeljen na štiri matematična področja: področje aritmetike, področje merjenja, področje geometrije in področje algebre. Pri vsakem področju so zbrani in predstavljeni materiali, ki jih uporabljajo v vrtcih s pedagogiko Montessori. Vsak material posebej je predstavljen, opisani so način dela in cilji, ki jih pri uporabi tega materiala otroci dosežejo.The diploma thesis The mathematics area in Montessori method consists of two parts, theoretical and practical. In the theoretical part Maria Montessori is presented. She developed a special teaching method, which was later named as Montessori Pedagogy. The method was developed through her observations of children and for them, she invented special sensorial accessories – Montessori sensorial materials. Principles of the Montessori pedagogy are also described, including the absorbent mind, sensitive periods, polarization of attention, the prepared environment and materials. In the chapter The role of childcare worker, characteristics of Montessori childcare worker are presented. In the following chapters, characteristics of the Montessori materials are described, the emphasis is on the Montessori Math materials. The practical part of diploma thesis is divided into four mathematics areas – arithmetic, measurement, geometry and algebra. Materials for each area are collected and presented. These materials are used in the Montessori kindergartens. Each material is described in detail as well as its use and objectives/knowledge that children acquire through the use of certain material