Descriptive observation rather than judgment
Core Idea: The Montessori approach to feedback focuses on specific, descriptive observations rather than non-specific praise or criticism, helping children develop intrinsic motivation and accurate self-assessment.
Key Elements
Principles of Montessori Feedback
- Descriptive vs. Judgmental: Describe what you see rather than labeling it as "good" or "bad"
- Specific vs. General: "I see you made a line here in yellow" rather than "Good job"
- Process-Focused: Comment on effort, strategies, and approaches rather than outcomes
- Child's Perspective: Allow the child to form their own judgment about their work
- Intrinsic Motivation: Avoid creating dependency on external validation
- Authentic Reactions: Genuine interest rather than automatic praise
- Space for Self-Evaluation: Include moments of silence for the child to reflect
Examples of Effective Feedback
Art Activities
- Instead of: "That's a beautiful painting! Good job!"
- Try: "I see you used blue here and made circular movements with your brush."
- Ask: "Would you like to tell me about your painting?" rather than "What is it?"
Practical Life
- Instead of: "Good job setting the table!"
- Try: "You remembered to put a fork, knife, and napkin at each place."
- Or: "Everyone has what they need for dinner because you set the table."
Problem-Solving
- Instead of: "You're so smart for figuring that out!"
- Try: "You worked on that puzzle for a long time. You tried several different pieces until you found the one that fit."
Implementation Approaches
- Observation First: Watch before commenting
- Pause Before Responding: Allow time for processing
- Ask Questions: "How do you feel about your work?"
- Notice Details: Be specific about what you observe
- Acknowledge Effort: "You worked very carefully on that"
- Describe Progress: "Last week this was difficult, now you can do it easily"
Benefits
- Builds internal motivation rather than dependency on praise
- Helps children develop accurate self-assessment
- Encourages persistence through process focus
- Develops language for meaningful reflection
- Respects child's autonomy and judgment
- Creates authentic communication
- Avoids praise inflation and its diminishing returns
- Builds genuine confidence rather than praise dependency
Additional Connections
- Related Concepts: Intrinsic Motivation (internal drive vs. external rewards)
- Applications: Montessori Art Activities (process vs. product)
- Broader Context: Growth Mindset (focus on effort and strategy)
- See Also: Montessori Three-Period Lesson (structured learning approach)
References
- Davies, S. (2019). The Montessori Toddler.
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