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About the Montessori Method

Montessori: A Special Alternative by Gail M. Supanich, M.Ed.

Montessori education is a unique approach to learning that is simultaneously applauded and misunderstood by parents and educators alike. Its unique characteristics and success with educating young children has recently brought it back into the limelight of early childhood education. Many of its basic tenets and methods are now being adapted by traditional programs in both public and private schools. So what is Montessori education and what makes it unique from traditional early childhood programs? Why do parents choose Montessori schools for their young children? What does it have to offer any child?

The basic tenet of Montessori education is that a child learns best in an enriched, supportive environment through exploration, discovery and creativity with the guidance and encouragement of a trained and caring staff.

...children are encouraged to pursue their interests, make responsible choices for themselves and direct themselves to constructive activities.

At the turn of this century, Maria Montessori, an Italian physician, conceived and developed a system of educating young children based on her observations and conclusions about how children learn. She developed materials and methods based on her belief that education involved the unfolding and development of the child's innate abilities, talents and interests. Her approach was scientific and humanistic. Her ideas rapidly spread around the globe resulting in training programs and schools opening throughout the world. Montessori schools have been in existence for 82 years in the United States. There are currently over 3,000 independent and 130 public school systems using the Montessori method.

The goals of Montessori education are to cultivate each child's natural desire to learn, acquire and master skills, learn responsibility and cooperation and foster strong, positive feelings about oneself and others. The method addresses the total child developing social skills, emotional growth, physical coordination, and cognitive preparation, within a thoughtfully designed environment.

The classroom is prepared with a wealth of materials selected and designed to meet the needs of the individuals it serves. There is a range of materials both in variety and level of development to allow children to progress through the curriculum as their skills develop. Typical areas of a Montessori Pre-school/Kindergarten classroom include: Everyday Living, Math, Language, Art, Sensorial, Music, Geography, Science, Movement, Nature Study, Animal Care. At the Elementary level these basic areas are expanded to include Biology, Botany, Zoology, Physical Sciences, History, Junior Great Books and Foreign Language.

Some of the characteristics that distinguish a Montessori program are:

Mixed Age Groupings Called family groupings, the classes are composed of a 3 year age span for both elementary and pre-school programs. Each class includes children ages 3-6, 6-9 or 9-12. This allows for peer teaching, broad social interactions, individual differences in learning style and pace, and creates a social community of family. It provides the youngest students with a graded series of role models and the older students with peer teaching opportunities for reinforcement of learning.

Individualized Instruction Each child learns and develops at her/his own pace through the use of materials and lessons introduced by trained staff. The integrated curriculum is introduced sequentially and at the developmental level of each individual child, allowing every child to work to capacity and at their ability level.

Child Directed Program Within the structure of the classroom and curriculum, children are encouraged to pursue their interests, make responsible choices for themselves and direct themselves to constructive activities. Since children's interests vary, this opportunity results in an independent, self-motivated learner.

Designed Environment/Materials The school environment is prepared with a variety of specially designed Montessori materials - multi-sensory, sequential and self-correcting. Educational materials are carefully selected to meet the needs of range of students in each class and to meet the goals of the program.

Specialized Staff In addition to background and experience in early childhood education, teachers receive specialized training in the Montessori method. Training programs throughout the world prepare and certify teachers in the field. The course of study includes educational philosophy, academic training in the curricula areas, early childhood development, classroom management, and use of materials for individual lessons.

Hands-on Approach To Learning The use of materials for learning in the Montessori classroom is an integral part of the program from pre-school through the elementary years. Based on a belief that children learn by doing, lessons for math, language and all subject areas include hands-on materials for use by the student.

Integrated Curriculum Especially at the elementary level, the curriculum integrates many subject areas into the lesson at hand. This enables students to use their knowledge and skills in context and to see the "whole" picture.

Whole Language Approach To Reading There is a concentration on writing and reading across the curriculum. Activities and lessons are student generated according to ability and learning style. The literature programs meets the child's individual needs.

In essence, the Montessori method looks to follow the child; to guide and nurture the learning process. The basic philosophy, as stated by Maria Montessori herself... "never let a child risk failure until he has a reasonable chance of success." ...sets the tone for a happy, productive school day for the children attending.