If you’re researching educational options for your child, you’ve probably read or heard about Montessori schools. A Montessori classroom looks a bit different from a traditional class. In a Montessori school, you’ll typically see children of various ages engaged in different activities. The children work both independently and in small groups. The teacher will be observing, giving lessons and at times aiding a child as necessary.
Rebecca Perry (who now lives in Monterey but whose child attended a Montessori school in Oregon) chose Montessori after investigating her options. According to Perry, “We did several classroom observations, had lots of interviews with current/past parents, and read up on the Montessori philosophy and methods. We were impressed with their approach to nurturing and respecting a child’s natural curiosity, goodness, and eagerness to achieve.”
THE BIRTH OF MONTESSORI
Montessori education began over 110 years ago in Rome, Italy. Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori opened the first Montessori school, calling it the Casa Dei Bambini, or Children’s House.
Maria had studied psychiatry early in her career and came to specialize in educational theory, and then special education. She developed the Montessori approach while working as co-director of a training institute for teachers. Today there are more than 22,000 Montessori schools in over 110 countries, according to the American Montessori Society.
WHAT IS A MONTESSORI EDUCATION
In its most basic sense, Montessori education focuses on child-led learning. Montessori proponents believe that their model guides students to value cooperation, develop respectful behavior, and think about how their actions affect others.
Teachers act as guides, directing each child according to an individualized plan. The work and the classroom are noncompetitive, and comparisons are made only to a child’s previous work.
One of the significant differences in a Montessori school is that children of different ages are in the same classroom and may work on activities together. In general, children are kept within a 3-year age range. The younger children model the older children’s behavior, while the older children act as mentors.
Montessori classrooms are filled with objects and tools that are specifically chosen to encourage children to interact with the learning materials, as well as to work cooperatively.
Another essential component of Montessori learning is “control of error.” This means that a student can often observe if they have completed a task correctly. They don’t need a teacher to correct them — the correction is built into the material or work.
Because children thrive on routine, structure is important in a Montessori classroom. You may have noticed how a change in routine can increase anxiety in your child or even cause an outburst. In a Montessori classroom, there is a schedule for the classroom and a sequence for activities while allowing for the children’s spontaneous activity.
THE BENEFITS OF A MONTESSORI EDUCATION
When asked about the benefits of Montessori education, Anna Perry, a 23-year-old who attended Montessori school for ten years, said:
“Connectivity to nature: we were outside multiple times each week gardening, studying plants, drawing, building, on field trips. This made the classroom feel less isolated and more connected to the outside world. We could see what we learned in the classroom being lived out.”
Thinking outside of the box is encouraged in Montessori schools, children learn that there isn’t just one solution to a problem. They are also encouraged to question and given free rein to find answers independently. Because lessons are individualized for each student, they work at their own pace to master the necessary skills needed for a particular task.
Group work is also important and encouraged in the Montessori classroom. Anna Perry says: “We did a lot of small group collaboration work. This experience was helpful in high school and in college, where group projects can be tricky. I felt like I had a lot of skills that helped me jump into a leadership role.”
For more information on a Montessori education check www.montessori.edu. Or contact one of our featured Montessori schools.
FEATURED MONTESSORI SCHOOLS
Montessori Learning Center 30 Hitchcock Rd, Salinas, 93908 • (831) 455-1546
Offering programs for children through 6th grade. The Primary classrooms have students ranging in age from two-and-a-half through age six; the Lower Elementary encompasses grades one through three, and the Upper Elementary includes fourth and fifth grades. In addition to the Montessori-based course of study, MLC follows all requirements of the California State recommended curriculum at all grade levels.
St. Dunstan’s Montessori School 28003 Robinson Canyon Rd, Carmel, 93923 • (831) 624-9250
St. Dunstan’s offers a nurturing and supportive environment for students age three months through entry to first grade, where each child’s unique personality is honored and valued. The preschool is a ministry of St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church with a holistic approach to education. The staff seeks to develop the child’s whole personality following the traditional Christian principles, where love and acceptance are the foundation for all interactions.
Santa Cruz Montessori 6230 Soquel Dr, Aptos, 95003 • (831) 476-1646
Serving children from ages 18 months to 15 years. All programs are structured in multi-year age spans, and we balance classes by age and gender. The children help each other learn and grow, strengthening their knowledge of the subject matter in the process. They have the freedom to work with others who share their interests regardless of age. Under the guidance of the teachers, these mixed-age groups allow a spirit of community to grow.