Montessori is an approach to education that was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori over a century ago. It is an approach that is based on long held universal principles about human development. Dr. Maria Montessori believed that a human’s ability to absorb information about the world around them begins at birth. She also felt that education was a journey that continued through adulthood and is evident in her own pursuit of ongoing studies.
Montessori involves the use of carefully designed materials and learning environments as the key proponents of the learning process. As the children interact with the materials in a supportive environment with prepared adults to support them, they will progress at their own individual pace. Through the interaction with materials, the learning environment, and adults in the classroom, children’s curiosity is sparked, natural interests are discovered, and the quest for knowledge begins! From here….the possibilities are endless!
Dr. Maria Montessori
Dr. Maria Montessori began her career as the first female doctor in Italy. As a doctor she became intrigued by human development. This interest was the spark that began her journey in the study of philosophy, pedagogy, and anthropology. She began to closely observe the behaviors of children and how knowledge is formed. She discovered that certain behavioral tendencies are inherent in human beings and these behaviors guide the formation of the human mind along with the coordination of the body. She also discovered that while all human beings seem to have a common set of behavioral tendencies, each human exists as a unique being with a specialized set of interests and capabilities that should be nurtured.
From these observations and discoveries began the Montessori method or approach to learning. It is one which involves Dr. Montessori’s creation of the auto didactic materials used in the classrooms, the careful arrangement of the Montessori learning environment, and the use of the prepared adult as a respectful guide providing opportunities for children to gain knowledge, explore, and be individually nurtured.
The North American Montessori Teacher’s Association estimates that there are about 4,300 Montessori schools in the United States and about 20,000 worldwide. There are about 250 public and 120 charter schools that include Montessori programs. For more in depth information on the Montessori Method, Dr. Montessori, or Montessori related articles visit the Association Montessori Internationale USA parent resources website.
|Mixed age groupings||All children same age in classroom|
|Environment and materials drive curriculum which is based on Dr. Montessori’s observations and the natural development of the child||Curriculum is a set of standards proposed for a certain age group by the state|
|Large working periods during the day||Day is broken up into small learning sessions|
|Environment and materials allow children to construct their own purposeful knowledge||Teacher is primary knowledge provider|
|Child centered||Curriculum centered|
|Children learn at their own pace based on individual interests||Children are taught a set curriculum which is similar for all children at a certain age group|
|Shared emphasis on intellectual, social and emotional development||Attainment of knowledge is primary emphasis|