What is Montessori?

Montessori is a philosophy of education popular throughout the world that encourages and supports the

unfolding of a child’s maximum potential by assisting the child to educate herself at her own pace. Its

main beliefs are:

1) each child is a unique individual and has the ability to explore her own capabilities

given the right environment;

2) children have sensitive periods for learning (i.e., for language, order, movement);

3) very young children learn through their unconscious absorbent minds;

4) observation is crucial; and

5) appropriate developmental environments and expectations are essential.

The philosophy respects the individuality of the child, her freedom and choice within limits. The role of the adult in the environment is to assist the child to meet her needs independently thus leading her to explore her identity, independence and realize her full potential. An environment is prepared to guide the child in self

directed activities with hands-on sensorial activities. The concrete materials require movement

and the use of his hands to develop his mind. The philosophy respects the natural abilities and

progression of each individual child’s development.

Who is Maria Montessori?

Maria Montessori was born in Italy in 1870 and became the first female physician in her country. By the age

of 36, she was an educator, writer, lecturer and medical doctor in philosophy, psychology, anthropology, and medicine. Her initial professional research was with mentally challenged children where she formed many of her theories from observation. Maria tested these theories when she opened a school for underprivileged children in the San Lorenzo district of Rome. With child-sized furniture and specially designed materials, she observed and modified her curriculum based on her first student body of 60 deprived children under the age of six. Within six months, the children displayed self-discipline, preferred learning materials to toys, and worked with a profound concentration and joy. They had a love for order, respected their environment, and enjoyed working in silence beside their friends. The children would carry on “business as usual” with or without the teacher’s presence. Gradually, Maria Montessori's work became known and is now practiced world-wide.

How does Montessori differ from traditional education?

Montessori education differs from traditional education in many ways but probably the most

fundamental difference is that Montessori is child-centered whereas traditional education is

teacher-centered.

How does a classroom work with different ages?

Younger children usually want to do what the older children are doing. A vertically-aged Montessori

classroom offers an inherent motivator for children to constantly challenge themselves. The older children

benefit tremendously from this grouping as they become teachers and leaders, developing confidence and

independence. This process of sharing what they know reaffirms what they have already learned.

Children in a vertically-aged classroom advance in the complexity of their work without waiting for the group

as a whole. If a child is progressing more slowly in a certain area, she has the opportunity to work at her

own level of understanding. A child's progress is measured against their own ability not that of others.

Every child will advance more quickly in some areas than others. This is a natural part of growth and the

Montessori classroom is able to adapt to the individual needs of each child. For instance, if a

child is mastering material quickly the teacher will simply give a lesson on more complex materials which

may already be in the classroom for older children. If a child is having a difficult time grasping a

particular concept, the child is allowed to focus on that area until she is ready to move on. Often a

second presentation or a slight variation will help a child understand a concept more easily.

A multi-age classroom naturally entails different levels of ability and therefore offers diversity,

stimulation, and a path for growth integral to the success of the Montessori philosophy.

Is Montessori just for special learners such as the gifted or those with learning difficulties?

Maria Montessori started her research and methods with children experiencing learning difficulties. Because

her methods were so successful, they were extended to a wide range of children. The environment and methods used in the Montessori classroom are designed to ensure the holistic development and success of all children.

Do Montessori classrooms push children too far?

Central to the Montessori philosophy is the idea of allowing each child to develop at her own individual

pace. Montessori children who are advanced compared to traditional expectations for their age level do not

reflect artificial acceleration or pressured instruction. Rather, they reflect the vast possibilities and potential when children are allowed to learn at their own pace and pursue what is interesting to them during their sensitive periods of learning in a scientifically prepared environment.

Is Montessori just for preschool children?

Montessori is a philosophy of education that starts at birth and continues through adulthood. The majority

of the Montessori programs offered in U.S. schools are preschools (ages 3-6) but there are a growing number of infant and toddler programs as well as 6-9, 9-12, and 12-15 programs in the U.S. as of late.

Is Montessori out of date?

Quite the contrary actually. Dr. Maria Montessori was a woman ahead of her time and the insights she

discovered and observed about children in the early 1900s are just now being confirmed and praised by

contemporary research and evaluation. Some adaptations to the original Montessori curriculum have

been updated (e.g., modifications to the Practical Life exercises) to keep it culturally relevant but the

basic pedagogy has not changed much since Dr. Montessori's lifetime because the developmental stages

of humans have not changed.

Are Montessori schools religious?

The Montessori philosophy itself is not religiously oriented. Many schools follow the principle of

celebrating and learning about every religion from a cultural viewpoint. Diversity is an integral part of

learning about the world and its happenings. Montessori schools also work to respect the specific

religious needs and desires of each member of the classroom. There are, however, private Montessori schools in the U.S. who do have a religious orientation so it is important to ask each school. a child's place Montessori Schools do not have a religious orientation or denomination and honors and respects all religions.

This list of FAQs was adapted from information contained on the North American Montessori Teachers' Association (NAMTA) website.