Understanding Montessori Education

Imagine your boss walks over and pushes your laptop screen closed right in the middle of a task. Your work is important and now it has been not just interrupted but disrespected. 

Most adults unknowingly do the same thing to children on a daily basis. 

Montessori methodology implores that we respect the child's work as just that-- work. A child seeks out the specific development they need as an individual and engrosses themself in it until that need is met. When that work is interrupted, frustration erupts.

While working with children in underserved communities, Maria Montessori observed that when children were treated with respect and provided meaningful work in a thoughtfully prepared environment, they naturally evolved into focused, calm, confident, and joyful learners. She developed specific materials and designed classrooms that empowered children to learn through their hands, move freely and purposefully, choose meaningful work, and build independence step-by-step. This innovative approach quickly gained popularity across Europe and later in the United States, leading to the establishment of Montessori schools globally.

Montessori-educated children are remarked for their independence, self-discipline, and strong concentration. This method of self-directed learning allows children to follow their interests and develop intrinsic motivation. As a result, they often show a natural love of learning and perform well academically, specifically in reading, math, and problem-solving. The hands-on, sensory-based materials used in Montessori classrooms help children build a deep, conceptual understanding of abstract ideas from an early age. For example, they often begin reading and writing earlier than peers in traditional settings, and develop a strong number sense through tactile, visual tools that make math concrete and engaging.