Casa dei Bambini Montessori Trieste caters for children aged 2 to 11 years of age. This co-ed school is modelled on Montessori pedagogy, fostering self-directed andself-motivated learning.
The Early Years wing houses 2-year-olds (Sezione Primavera) and Casa dei Bambini which takes children aged between 3 and 6. Days are characterised by long periods of outdoor play (totalling 90 minutes) and self-directed activities (such as buttoning of coats, gardening, putting on/removing overalls/coats and shoes, laying the table for lunch, putting things in order and in their proper place, or making them clean).
These activities not only encourage self-help skills but also help promote an overall feeling of competence and independence in children. Since the Casa dei Bambini houses children of different ages (in the same class),
teachers can tailor the lessons to meet the unique needs of each learner. It was explained to us that by mixing up children of different ages, younger children are able to absorb intellectual concepts and stimulate their cognitive development simply by observing older peers at work. Through peer teaching, older pupils can take on the roles of mentors/facilitators. It is perhaps no wonder the learners were so calm, confident and eager to explore their surroundings and engage with us!
Unlike the Casa dei Bambini, children of different ages are not mixed in the Primary School. Teaching is very traditional and topic based. The use of technology is not encouraged in class (with learners having no access to
tablets and interactive whiteboards in class). It was explained to us that teachers employed in this school need to be specialised in the subject they teach.Academic and nonacademic are allocated equal importance. Although children have a set timetable and children have different teachers, no bells to demarcate the beginning and ending of lessons could be heard.
Very little cross-curricular teaching was observed except for History/Italian and Art. Reading is prioritised with a daily slot of 30 minutes individual reading session taking place every morning.
Bernardette Brincat – Literacy Support Teacher (SfCE)
KA–2023–MT01–KA122-000113115
