© Shutterstock

Who was Dr. Maria Montessori? -

Maria Montessori was an Italian physician and educator. She was the first woman to practice medicine in Italy and is acclaimed for her educational method that builds on the way children learn naturally.

© Shutterstock

Famous Montessori alumni -

Jeff Bezos, founder and former CEO at Amazon, attended a Montessori preschool when he was a child. He has opened several Montessori-inspired preschools in the US.

© Shutterstock

What is the Montessori method? -

Dr. Maria Montessori developed the child-centered method of education in the early 1900s. She believed that children learn better when they're choosing what to learn.

© Shutterstock

Montessori classrooms -

Montessori classrooms look different from standard classrooms. There are various stations for children to choose from throughout the day, and teachers move from group to group rather than standing at the front of the room.

© Shutterstock

Montessori classrooms -

Natural light and space are common priorities in a Montessori classroom design. 

© Shutterstock

A child-centered approach -

A child-centered approach to learning means the children stay engaged and learn more. 

© Shutterstock

Each child is encouraged to reach their full potential -

A child in a Montessori classroom doesn't have to follow the crowd and the teacher doesn't have to teach in the middle.

© Shutterstock

Children complete their work in a variety of environments -

Montessori recognized the connection between movement and learning. In the Montessori classroom, children aren't confined to their desks all day. 

© Shutterstock

Hands-on learning -

The Montessori method encourages children to learn through immersion, independent investigation, and multi-sensory learning, which can develop concentration and coordination.

© Shutterstock

Enhanced social interaction -

Most Montessori classrooms are mixed-age and encourage peer-to-peer learning, which can lead to growth that might not occur in a uniformly-aged classroom.

© Shutterstock

Enhanced social interaction -

Mixed-age groups provide opportunities for children to learn from one another, teach each other, and develop important life skills like inclusion and acceptance.

© Shutterstock

Learning to be independent -

As much of the Montessori method is self-directed, children gain a sense of independence and confidence in their abilities much faster than in a traditional school setting. It's also thought to develop an entrepreneurial skillset.

© Shutterstock

A love for learning -

The Montessori method encourages a love for learning and for children to be curious about the people and the world around them. 

© Shutterstock

A love for learning -

A love for learning can stay with children their entire lives, from secondary education to a career. 

© Shutterstock

Inclusivity -

Montessori's educational method included children with additional needs from the start. As children are grouped with others of different ages and have the same teacher for three years, students with additional needs have less pressure to keep up with peers and can learn at their own pace.

© Shutterstock

Inclusivity -

Montessori children receive an individualized education tailored to their unique learning style. 

© Shutterstock

A broad range of subjects -

The Montessori method takes a comprehensive approach to exploring various subjects, such as science and geography, and there is an emphasis on spending more time outdoors and on active exploration.

© Shutterstock

High cost of tuition -

One of the disadvantages of the Montessori method is the high cost of tuition and enrollment fees.

© Shutterstock

It's not accessible to everyone -

Montessori programs are often found in private schools in wealthy neighborhoods, which puts low-income, inner-city students at a disadvantage as their parents can't afford tuition fees. 

© Shutterstock

Parental expectation -

Parents are expected to be actively involved in the educational process, including transporting their children to and from school. The demands placed on parents by the school may not align with work schedules or other obligations.

© Shutterstock

Teacher training can be expensive -

Regular teachers need to undergo additional training to align with the Montessori philosophy. This specialized training incurs extra costs for teachers and the institutions they work for. 

© Shutterstock

Loose curriculum -

The Montessori method embraces the fact that children may develop more interest in certain areas over others. However, if a child spends less time on a subject, they may not progress at the same pace as their peers in a traditional school.

© Shutterstock

Too much independence -

Promoting independence is often viewed as a strength of the Montessori method, but an excessive emphasis on individual work may impact a child's ability to work effectively in teams later in life.

© Shutterstock

The open-ended structure of the classroom -

Children tend to like routine and structure, and the open-ended nature of the Montessori classroom may be unsettling for some. While a traditional classroom allows less freedom, it can ensure a class environment feels ordered and safe.

© Shutterstock

The transition to higher education -

At present, there are no high schools or colleges that follow the Montessori educational philosophy. Students accustomed to open-ended structures may find a traditional classroom environment with fixed timetables challenging.

© Shutterstock

Mixed-age groups -

Mixed-age grouping can be beneficial for younger children, as they can learn different skills by observing older children. However, it can sometimes hinder personal growth as it can cause a child to feel insecure about their current abilities. 

© Shutterstock

A love for learning? -

Children who follow the Montessori method may not have a love for learning in general, but a love for learning about subjects that interest them. A child may be under-prepared for math and science, and over prepared for arts classes.

© Shutterstock

No standardized testing -

While no standardized testing isn't an issue for younger children, it may pose challenges when a child transitions to a more traditional educational system in the future. 

© Shutterstock

The Montessori method may not suit every child -

Each child is unique, and the Montessori method may not work for those who lose interest quickly or need external motivation to continue working.

Sources: (Rasmussen University) (Britannica)

See also: How to nurture your child’s creativity

© Shutterstock