Why Montessori?

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What is Montessori Method?

Montessori is one of the fastest-growing and most popular educational methods in the United States today. It began in Italy in the early 1900s by Dr. Maria Montessori, a doctor and educator who achieved remarkable results with children by designing an educational program that makes the most of the innate desire of children to learn. The Montessori classroom is at the same time disciplined and self-directed. Children are provided with hands-on materials that enable them to learn math, language, science, and history, while at the same time developing intellectual curiosity, self-respect, and respect for the world around them. Instructors give small group lessons or one-on-one lessons, and then monitor the children’s progress as they complete projects on their own, at their own pace. Montessori graduates are self-directed, motivated learners who are notable for the continuing excitement they find in learning.

Compare Montessori to Traditional education

Montessori Education “Traditional” education
Prepared kinesthetic materials with incorporated control of error, specially developed reference materials Textbooks, pencil and paper, worksheets and dittos
Working and learning matched to the social development of the child Working and learning without emphasis on social development
Unified, intentionally developed curriculum Narrow unit-driven curriculum
Integrated subjects and learning based on developmental psychology Individual subjects
Un-interrupted work cycles Block time, period lessons
Multi-age classrooms Single-graded classrooms
Students active, talking, with periods of spontaneous quiet, freedom to move Students passive, quiet, in desks
School meets needs of children Student fit mold of school
Special help comes to students Students leave for special help
Process-focused assessment, skills, checklists, mastery benchmarks Product-focused report cards


“The greatest sign of success for a teacher… is to be able to say, “The children are now working as if I did not exist.””

Maria Montessori