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Montessori Education
"Help me to do it Myself"
Early in the twentieth century Maria Montessori, Italy's first woman physician, developed educational materials and methods based on her belief that children learn best by actively doing, not by passively accepting other people's ideas and pre-existing knowledge. It was an innovative concept. Montessori developed materials that encouraged a hands-on approach to learning that led to independence in the classroom. The Montessori approach embraces the full development of the child, addressing the physical, social, emotional, cognitive and spiritual well being of the whole child.
Multi-Age Classroom
Dr. Montessori believed learning should occur in multi-age classrooms where children at various stages of development learn from and with each other. Her developmentally appropriate approach was designed to fit each child instead of making each child fit the program. Montessori classrooms allow children to learn from one another, fostering communications, team building, and leadership skills. Older children master curriculum material and build confidence by helping a younger child. Younger children watch older friends and use them as models, eventually taking their place as leaders in the classroom. In a mixed-age classroom, children can choose friendships based on common interest, not just age.
The Montessori classroom is designed to accommodate a group of children of varying ages and stages of development. Each child is free to choose their own work from a selection of carefully prepared and developmentally graded materials. Because children work individually or in small groups, there is no competition in a Montessori classroom. Each child relates only to his or her own previous work, and progress is not compared to the achievements of other children.
The Teacher
The teacher's roles in a Montessori classroom are those of observer and creator. The teacher is a keen observer of the individual interests and needs of each child. The teacher's creation and preparation of the classroom materials reflect the observations that have been made of the children. As much as possible the teacher guides through modeling and refrains from intervening and correcting so that the child may learn through experience.
A Respectful, Peaceful Community
All activity in a Montessori classroom is guided by the principal of respect: respect for others, respect for oneself, and respect for the materials. This principal, Dr. Montessori believed, leads to self-discipline and maturation within the child. Through this respect for the environment, the children in a Montessori classroom have the opportunity to experience and understand a peaceful community. Peace education is a vital part of the curriculum and is part of the everyday business of the classroom. Children are shown and practice conflict resolution, and learn to respect the opinion of others and how to express their own opinions in an appropriate way.
 A Child-Sized World
The Montessori classroom is a child's world, geared to the size, pace, and interests of children between the ages of three and six. It is designed to put the child at ease by giving him or her freedom in an environment prepared with developmentally appropriate, attractive materials.
Life Long Love of Learning
Children who have been educated using the Montessori method have the opportunity to grow into competent learners who know how to learn and love learning. The solid foundation begun in early life creates self-confident, contributing adults. Dr. Montessori wrote of children, "[T]hey will be witnesses of the unfolding of the human soul and to the raising of a New Man who will not be the victim of events, but will have the clarity of vision to direct and shape the future of human society." (Education for a New World).*
* Adapted from The Early Childhood Years, American Montessori Society, 2000 and A Parent's Guide to the Montessori Classroom, Aline D. Wolf, Parent Child Press, 1995.
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