Montessori is a method of education that is based on hands on learning, collaborative play, and self directed activity. In Montessori classrooms children make creative choices in their learning while the classroom and the teacher offer age appropriate activities to guide the process. Children work in groups and individually to discover people, places and knowledge of the world.
Montessori classrooms are beautifully crafted environments designed to meet the needs of children in a specific age range. Dr. Maria Montessori discovered that experiential learning in this type of classroom led to a deeper understanding of language, mathematics, science, music, social interactions, and much more.
Each material in a Montessori classroom supports some aspect of a child’s development, creating a match between the child’s natural interests and the available activities. Because of this match, children can learn through their own experience and at their own pace. They can respond at any moment to the natural curiosities that exist in all humans, and build a solid foundation for life-long learning.
Who is Maria Montessori?
Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952) was an Italian physician and anthropologist who became fascinated with how children develop socially, intellectually, physically, and spiritually. Through her careful observations of children all over the world, she discovered universal patterns of development which are found in all children regardless of their culture.
Dr. Montessori created this educational approach based upon these natural patterns and grounded in a profound respect for all life. Over the past one hundred years children throughout the world have benefited from this educational approach that supports, nurtures, and protects natural development.
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Montessori Resources & Links
Montessori 101 by Tim Seldin, President The Montessori Foundation
Wikipedia: More information about Montessori.
Montessori Science, by Dr. Angeline Lillard, offers links to several resources.
“The Early Years: Evaluating Montessori Education,” published in the September 29, 2006Science magazine, found significant advantages for Montessori over traditional education.
Two studies by Dr. Kevin Rathunde (University of Utah) appeared in 2005: “The Social Context of Middle School: Teachers, Friends, and Activities in Montessori and Traditional School Environments” and “Middle School Students’ Motivation and Quality of Experience: A Comparison of Montessori and Traditional School Environments.”
Drs. Csikszentmihalyi and Rathunde published “A Comparison of Montessori and Traditional Middle Schools: Motivation, Quality of Experience, and Social Context” in the Summer 2003 NAMTA Journal.
Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity.
A short video of Dr. Steven Hughes, PhD, LP, a world-renowned pediatric neuropsychologist, advocating the developmental benefits of a Montessori education. View video >
Here’s a short video on Montessori based on content from the book “Montessori Madness” by Trevor Eissler:
Dimitri Christakis is a pediatrician, parent, and researcher whose influential findings are helping identify optimal media exposure for children.
Dr. Dan Siegel offers some revolutionary strategies when it comes to developing the child’s mind. Check out below the 6 steps he provides to build kindness and resilience in children. (Follow the links at the end of each video to view the next step). From The Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education