The Montessori Method

Whereas traditional education treats children essentially the same from ages five to 18, and expects passive, rote learning, the Montessori approach embraces and utilizes the distinct characteristics of children in their different stages of development and requires them to be active learners, engaging with their environments.

Children in Montessori classrooms learn at their own individual pace and according to their own choice of activities from hundreds of possibilities. Montessori guides (teachers) present new concepts—often through hands-on manipulative materials—to one child at a time, or at the elementary levels to small groups.

Students are encouraged to develop and explore their own interests and passions, and frequently achieve results that surprise even us.

Multi-age classrooms afford us the luxury of adapting the curriculum to the individual child. Each child can work at his or her own pace while remaining in the community with his or her peers.

In addition, the multi-age format allows older children to be the leaders of the classroom community, even those children who may be shy or quiet.

The different arrangement of a Montessori classroom mirrors the Montessori method's differences from traditional education. Rather than putting the teacher at the focal point of the class, with children dependent on them for information and activity, the classroom revolves around the needs, interests, and work of the children.

Children work at tables or on floor rugs where they can spread out their materials, and the teacher circulates about the room, giving lessons or resolving issues as they arise.

Montessori children are free to choose within limits and have only as much freedom as they can handle with appropriate responsibility. The Montessori guide and assistant ensure that children do not interfere with each other, and that each child is progressing at their appropriate pace in all subjects.

Montessori offers environments with freedoms that require a higher level of responsibility, self-control, and grace and courtesy than many other school settings. Most children develop these qualities gradually in response to the Montessori structure and guidance of three-year-age-ranged classmates and the trained teacher.

Although Montessori is often a good fit for children who have come from other educational settings, there are times when Montessori does not give a particular child what they need. In determining whether or not Montessori is the best fit for a child, our mutual focus as parents and educators must be on which educational setting will most help a child to succeed. Being realistic about the limitations of any one environment is part of this collective conversation.

Montessori classrooms emphasize competition with oneself: self-monitoring, self-correction, and a variety of other executive skills aimed at continuous improvement. Students typically become comfortable with their strengths and learn how to address their weaknesses.

Based on the assumption that children learn at different rates and through different avenues, all Montessori instruction is differentiated to meet the needs of each child in the classroom.

For children who experience learning challenges, this means addressing difficulties early to provide more time with instruction.

For children who require additional challenges, there is no ceiling to learning. Students can pursue learning at an accelerated rate.

A classroom whose children have varying abilities is a community in which everyone learns from one another, and everyone contributes. Moreover, multi-age grouping allows each child to find their own pace without feeling “ahead” or “behind” in relation to their peers.

Research studies show that Montessori children are well-prepared for later life academically, socially, and emotionally. Montessori children are ranked above average on such criteria as following directions, listening attentively, using basic skills, showing responsibility, asking provocative questions, showing enthusiasm for learning, and adapting to new situations.