Lesson Summary (2)

**Digital learning has never been the preference** of the Montessori Method. Instead, the method has always focused on enhancing the natural abilities to touch, observe, and feel concrete, three-dimensional objects. **How does the Montessori Environment Help Children without Technology?** A Montessori environment can help children even without using technology. It does so by enhancing children's capabilities as they play with concrete materials. Some benefits include: - Playing with concrete materials helps children increase their concentration. - Children learn to regulate their muscle movements by playing with concrete materials. If a child only plays digital activities, they will not be able to enhance any of these abilities — especially those that concern muscle movement and coordination. **Health Guidelines** According to *"The Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Guidelines for Early Childhood Settings"*, exposing children to digital devices at an early age can be dangerous, posing risks such as: unhealthy eating habits, less creative and outdoor activity, muscle and bone growth retardation, and retarded growth of linguistic skills and short-term memory. **Disadvantages of Using Computers in a Montessori Setting** When a child uses a computer, they do not do much of the work themselves. Instead, the larger part of the activity is software-regulated. For a child in their early years, this brings out disadvantages such as: - Less interaction with the people around them - Lack of gross and fine muscle movement - Reduction in perception, judgment, and discrimination Although these disadvantages exist, Montessori schools do incorporate technology to some extent — for: - Procedural thinking - Employing fine motor control and coordination while using mouse and keyboard - Being able to perform sequencing