A NEW art studio in Barry has just celebrated its first term teaching in a completely unique method.
Ejiro Lane is trained in “Montessori education” - a form of educating children where the child directs their own learning.
In one of the Vale’s first dedicated Montessori learning environments, Mrs Lane teaches her pupils skills in art.
Her new studio, art-K, can be found on Barry’s High Street, and Mrs Lane has just finished teaching her first full term of students.
Originally from Nigeria, Mrs Lane came to Wales 11 years ago, where she married a Welshman and studied mechanical engineering in Cardiff. But her passion was always to teach children.
“I came to Wales and got married,” said Mrs Lane. “My husband is Welsh and I had my children here, then I went back to painting and I wanted to combine the two (art and Montessori education) because teaching children is my passion.”
Mrs Lane explained a bit about Montessori education, describing it as an “alternative form” of education developed by Maria Montessori.
“The method is child-led,” explained Mrs Lane. “At my studio they have access to all this equipment to allow the child to teach themselves because knowledge is in the child.”
Mrs Lane’s studio is well equipped, giving children access to oils and acrylics for them to create their own artwork.
What is Montessori education?
Montessori is a method of education that is based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play. In Montessori classrooms children make creative choices in their learning, while the classroom and the highly trained teacher offer age-appropriate activities to guide the process.
The first term has finished, coinciding with the school terms, running on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings.
Next is the summer programme, in which Mrs Lane will offer special one-day sessions.
Mrs Lane says she has been overwhelmed by the response from the community.
Mrs Lane was grateful for the support of the community, and was surprised how many children signed up to the first term - 22 in total.
“The support has been overwhelming,” said Mrs Lane. “I was not expecting to get as many people signed up as I did.”
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