What is Montessori?

Montessori is a child-centered method of education that was pioneered more than 100 years ago by Dr. Maria Montessori, a physician and educator. She observed that children learn best by doing, and her extensive research produced a teaching method that honors children’s social, intellectual, physical and emotional development.

The Montessori method recognizes that children are sensorial learners who are eager to find their place in the world. Through carefully prepared materials, multi-age classrooms, and trained Montessori teachers, children are encouraged to exercise independence, practice grace and courtesy, and realize their full learning potential.

Within the carefully prepared Montessori environment, using specially crafted materials, children have the freedom to follow their innate curiosity and develop confidence, creativity, problem solving, and a lifelong love of learning.

The Montessori Classroom

Below are some of the key differences between a Montessori classroom and a traditional classroom setting:

Montessori

Traditional

Learning through all 5 senses

Learning through listening, watching or reading

Environment and method encourage self-discipline

Teacher is primary enforcer of discipline

Mixed age grouping; mainly individual instruction

Same age grouping; mainly group instruction

Child chooses own work

Curriculum chosen for child

Child works as long as she wishes on chosen material

Child allotted specific time for her work

Child sets own learning pace

Group norm sets learning pace

Child notices her own errors from feedback of material

Work is corrected by teacher who points out errors

Child works where he chooses, moves around and talks at will (so long as not disturbing others)

Child assigned to chair, required to participate and sit still for group lessons

Organized curriculum for learning to care for self and environment

No organized program, self-care instruction left primarily to parents

Teacher has unobtrusive role in classroom

Teacher is center of classroom

Values concentration and depth of experience; uninterrupted time for focused work cycle