Isolation of a Difficulty (Montessori)

In Montessori education, the Isolation of Difficulty refers to a pedagogical approach where a teacher analyses an activity prior to presenting it to a child. Procedures or movements that might be challenging are isolated and taught separately to the child.^[1] For instance, holding and snipping with scissors, a basic movement, is demonstrated before teaching how to cut curved or zigzag lines. This method ensures that a task is neither overwhelming nor too easy, but provides an appropriate level of challenge to engage and stimulate the child’s learning.

Contents

• 1Montessori Quotes
• 2Research and Critiques
• 3Comparisons to Other Methods
• 4See Also
• 5Glossary of Montessori Terms
• 6Please help to translate this page into your local language
• 7References

Montessori Quotes

• “Our teaching must only answer the mental needs of the child, never dictate them.”^[2]
• “The essence of independence is to be able to do something for one’s self.”^[3]