The Montessori method fosters independence and self-direction through the thoughtful design of each material, through the child-sized layout of the environment, and through the way the adult interacts with the child. When children have more control over their learning, they work harder, perform better, retain more information, and are more creative and joyful.
Montessori is a method of education which allows
every child to reach their full potential in their own, unique way.
Montessori is education for peace. It was Maria Montessori’s belief that children are naturally peaceful, interested in learning, and have a need to fit into the society and culture in which they were born. She knew that through child-led education in a prepared environment, children could reach their fulfil their potential and become independent, free-thinking adults.
In a Montessori class, children can:
- choose materials specific to their interest and stage of development
- exercise freedom of movement
- examine and discover with all their senses
- follow their own pace
- repeat an activity as many times as they want
- work without interruptions
a brief history of Montessori education
Maria Montessori was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 3 times!
Dr. Maria Montessori was born on August 31, 1870. She became one of the first female medical specialists in Italy. Montessori became specialised in nervous illnesses and started working in a mental asylum for patients of all ages. It was here where Maria Montessori first noticed that the children loved to work with their hands and gradually she became interested exclusively in children.
She spent many hours with mentally disabled children and prepared materials for them to learn how to read and write. At state examinations, her students made even higher marks than the national standard, after which Maria Montessori understood that schools in general were not adequately developing the human potential.
In 1907 Dr. Montessori opened the first Casa dei Bambini for children 3 to 6 years old and her students quickly became a worldwide sensation.
In 1913 she gave her first international training course in Rome. Teachers and doctors from around the world came to listen to her lectures.
During her lifetime Montessori expanded her approach beyond 3-6 years old to children of all ages, from pregnancy to 18 years old. Maria Montessori and her family started the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) to preserve the integrity of the Montessori method. AMI still upholds the highest standards of Montessori education globally.
Montessori education is now the most popular education method in the world, used in 25,000 schools in 144 countries, and is time-tested by over 100 years of child-led learning.
Dr. Montessori tells us to remember the importance of observation with our own children, to approach them with trust, respect, and love, to provide opportunities for their natural development and then sit back to marvel at what they can achieve, without any interference from us. She says simply, “I observed little children. I sensed their needs. I tried to fulfil them. They call that the Montessori method” – Dr. Maria Montessori