Ted Talk Kids Need Structure And Montessori's Dr.

In Colin Powell’s Ted Talk Kids Need Structure and Maria Montessori’s Dr. Montessori’s Own Handbook, there are very opposing opinions about teachers, their role in education, and much more. The two have very separate experiences that heavily influence their specific opinions on multiple topics in education. These separate ideas on how children ought to be educated are almost polar opposites in every way, but no matter what, the goal always has been and always will be to do the best thing they can do for a child so the child will become a strong, functioning adult despite their circumstances.

Powell and Montessori have very different opinions when it comes to respect, structure, and children. Their opinions are almost polar opposites, with

Powell states that “[And] then we introduce them to somebody who they come to hate immediately, the drill sergeant. And they hate him, too. And the drill sergeant starts screaming at them, and telling them to do these awful things. But then the most amazing thing happens over time. Once that structure is developed, once they understand the reason for something, once they understand. They are mature.” Powell has a very strict idea of a teacher’s role in education. He clearly gets his point across that he believes that children need that teacher to exercise full control over them and teach them how to be mature. With this drill sergeant, the students in this example are forced to respect him and mature. In this way, it shows them how to be functional, skillful, and mature members of society. On the contrary, Montessori has a far more unconstrained attitude toward the teacher’s role. She specifically states that “it is necessary for the teacher to guide the child without letting him feel her presence too much, so that she may never be the obstacle between the child and his experience.” It is Montessori’s belief that children need to be guided, but if they’re hovered over too much, it can be damaging to their experience because the teacher will be the obstacle preventing them from reaching their entire potential. Both environments can be helpful, but it depends entirely on the child and what the child needs. If a child needs more structure, then give him more structure. Give him more space if that’s what he needs. But it’s imperative that it’s kept in mind that not all children need space, just like not all children need