Parents urged to teach children self independence

Hasyim Widhiarto ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 11/02/2009 2:02 PM  |  City

Standing in front of a spacious classroom, 5-year-old Bryant Susilo excitedly showed off his dinosaur drawings to dozens of parents visiting his Montessori preschool in North Jakarta on Saturday.

With a big smile on his face, one by one Bryant pointed at dinosaurs he had drawn, mentioning their names and what they ate.

"I drew and colored them *the drawings* by myself," Bryant said in fluent English, followed by an applause from his adult audience.

His father, who sat in the audience, smiled, saying they were proud to see their son's charming short presentation.

"I'm glad he enjoys his studies," said Bryant's father, Rudy Susilo.

Back then, Rudy said, Bryant had been a temperamental child. He couldn't finish Lego models, for example, and would yell and throw his toys around.

"Seeing his temper, my wife and I decided to put him into a Montessori preschool," the father of two said.

"After two years, I think his attitude is getting much better. I never see him moping now."

With more and more parents wanting to give their children chances to develop their intelligence, creativity and character at the same time, schools using the Montessori education technique have become increasingly popular in Jakarta.

The method, which was initiated by Italian educator Maria Montessori in the late 19th century, is mostly applied at preschool and pri-mary levels. It is characterized by giving children a high degree of freedom in selecting their own learning activities.

At every meeting, each student actively participates in selecting a range of educational items or activities in a well-prepared class, with an instructor standing by.

Unlike teachers at traditional schools, Montessori teachers have a much less intrusive roles, allowing children to learn on their own with the aid of prepared materials and providing help only when necessary.

Children are also exposed to various physical activities to help them understand and absorb abstract concepts and learn practical skills.

This educational framework fosters the development of self discipline, confidence, competence, and problem-solving skills.

Montessori education expert Ratna Saputra said the method would help children boost their brain potential as well as to shape their behavior from an early age.

"Sadly, it is common to see many parents paralyzing their children's potential by letting them get help from others to do most of their activities," she said during a recent discussion at Popay-Satori Montessori School in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta.

"By learning independently, children will use their brains more actively and internalize what they have learned more deeply."

Emmy Suparmin, another expert, urged parents to adjust their own mindsets, which were mostly inherited from their own childhood experiences.

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