Overview of the Montessori Method
Montessori education encourages critical thinking, organization, self-awareness, and a lifelong passion for learning. The Montessori way of learning allows a child to become the best version of themselves—without pressure, interruption, or coercion from others. Montessori schools are designed to give children a comfortable, secure, and favorable environment, helping them to discover themselves and their interests independently. Children are treated with respect and given the support they require to learn and thrive within their surroundings. The Montessori teacher pays attention to each child individually, which helps the teacher grow relationships with the children and learn their personal interests. The children are aware that they will receive support or help from their teacher if they need it—allowing them to build trust in their teacher and confidence within themselves.
In a Montessori environment, the surroundings are tidy and straightforward, with all items and materials strategically placed so that the children can easily find and make use of the provided learning materials. A Montessori classroom promotes the natural growth of relationships while developing social skills and respect for one another. The children find it easier to concentrate in an environment where they choose what they want to work with. The children have the opportunity to discover and explore their interests. They are not disrupted; instead, they are left to their own devices to learn and play. The children experience the freedom to find their place in the classroom and naturally build relationships with the other students.
The learning materials provided to the children give them the chance to explore and develop their cognitive abilities.
The toys and materials are designed to help children figure out how to work them by themselves. Instead of helping the children, the adults observe them and allow them to think and act by themselves and make their own decisions. The adults gently guide the children instead of disciplining them and enable them to develop confidence and manners.
The Montessori environment is created to suit the height and size of a child, allowing them to reach items and access shelves, tables, and chairs so that they do not have to ask for help. The environment is neat and tidy, clean and appealing, with a sense of community. Children can sit in groups or alone, depending on where their instincts take them. Montessori classrooms are divided into separate areas, each with a different theme or topic, providing the children with the freedom to explore. Learning materials are displayed so that the children can easily examine them and choose if they want to make use of them. The environment encourages the children to be independent, allowing them to use their minds, realize their mistakes, and learn from their errors.
The classrooms consist of groups of children of mixed ages. The age groups are 0 to 3 years old, 3 to 6 years old, 6 to 9 years old, and 9 to 13 years old. The children benefit from the diversity of their ages and learn from one another, allowing them to experience relationships with children younger and older than themselves. Following and observing the children without disrupting them can allow the teacher or parent to recognize their needs and characteristics. It can be beneficial for teachers to determine each student’s skill level, the child’s emotional and physical state, and how they approach relationships and socialization. The close examination can help build an environment that suits each child and their individual wants and needs. Children are curious and need an
environment where they can flourish and learn how to approach the world independently.
Children can use scientifically developed materials to develop their skills and intellectual abilities. These materials are formulated to accommodate the classroom and the children’s interests, based on their age and current evolutionary stage. The materials are designed to help the children repeat their actions, making it easier for them to concentrate and understand their learning materials. The materials will allow the child to know whether they are using them correctly and ultimately notice their errors. The children will start to learn that mistakes are part of the learning process and that with each try, they improve their skills—this helps the children develop a positive attitude towards learning. Children gain self-confidence when they work out how to perform by themselves.
Children are more eager to learn when presented with opportunities that offer them an interesting or exciting purpose. A Montessori teacher will observe a child’s wants and needs, interests, and capabilities. From these observations, the teacher will give the children guidance and offer them materials and ideas that align with their interests and abilities. Unless it is required, the teacher does not interrupt or intervene with the children. Instead, they allow the children to progress within their development freely. There are no rewards or punishments for the children, so they learn inner discipline, granting them satisfaction from their own work. Based on the child’s level of development, the teacher will continue to observe the child and introduce new projects and ideas, either individual to the child or presented to a group of children at the same level. As the children advance, they will begin to organize their schedule and set new goals for themselves at the beginning of each week—the children are responsible for their own learning and development.
In a Montessori environment, the surroundings are tidy and straightforward, with all items and materials strategically placed so that the children can easily find and make use of the provided learning materials. A Montessori classroom promotes the natural growth of relationships while developing social skills and respect for one another. The children find it easier to concentrate in an environment where they choose what they want to work with. The children have the opportunity to discover and explore their interests. They are not disrupted; instead, they are left to their own devices to learn and play. The children experience the freedom to find their place in the classroom and naturally build relationships with the other students.
The learning materials provided to the children give them the chance to explore and develop their cognitive abilities.
The toys and materials are designed to help children figure out how to work them by themselves. Instead of helping the children, the adults observe them and allow them to think and act by themselves and make their own decisions. The adults gently guide the children instead of disciplining them and enable them to develop confidence and manners.
The Montessori environment is created to suit the height and size of a child, allowing them to reach items and access shelves, tables, and chairs so that they do not have to ask for help. The environment is neat and tidy, clean and appealing, with a sense of community. Children can sit in groups or alone, depending on where their instincts take them. Montessori classrooms are divided into separate areas, each with a different theme or topic, providing the children with the freedom to explore. Learning materials are displayed so that the children can easily examine them and choose if they want to make use of them. The environment encourages the children to be independent, allowing them to use their minds, realize their mistakes, and learn from their errors.
The classrooms consist of groups of children of mixed ages. The age groups are 0 to 3 years old, 3 to 6 years old, 6 to 9 years old, and 9 to 13 years old. The children benefit from the diversity of their ages and learn from one another, allowing them to experience relationships with children younger and older than themselves. Following and observing the children without disrupting them can allow the teacher or parent to recognize their needs and characteristics. It can be beneficial for teachers to determine each student’s skill level, the child’s emotional and physical state, and how they approach relationships and socialization. The close examination can help build an environment that suits each child and their individual wants and needs. Children are curious and need an
environment where they can flourish and learn how to approach the world independently.
Children can use scientifically developed materials to develop their skills and intellectual abilities. These materials are formulated to accommodate the classroom and the children’s interests, based on their age and current evolutionary stage. The materials are designed to help the children repeat their actions, making it easier for them to concentrate and understand their learning materials. The materials will allow the child to know whether they are using them correctly and ultimately notice their errors. The children will start to learn that mistakes are part of the learning process and that with each try, they improve their skills—this helps the children develop a positive attitude towards learning. Children gain self-confidence when they work out how to perform by themselves.
Children are more eager to learn when presented with opportunities that offer them an interesting or exciting purpose. A Montessori teacher will observe a child’s wants and needs, interests, and capabilities. From these observations, the teacher will give the children guidance and offer them materials and ideas that align with their interests and abilities. Unless it is required, the teacher does not interrupt or intervene with the children. Instead, they allow the children to progress within their development freely. There are no rewards or punishments for the children, so they learn inner discipline, granting them satisfaction from their own work. Based on the child’s level of development, the teacher will continue to observe the child and introduce new projects and ideas, either individual to the child or presented to a group of children at the same level. As the children advance, they will begin to organize their schedule and set new goals for themselves at the beginning of each week—the children are responsible for their own learning and development.