A Montessori school employs a different approach to education, creativity and development than more traditional childcare, pre-school and kindergarten centers. The Montessori school method believes that children have an intrinsic ability to direct their development and that children should be seen as individuals, with preferences and gifts that should be emphasized in learning and communication. Parents should choose a Montessori school for their children because of the emphasis on self-directed learning, the multi-age grouping environment, the dedication to individual growth and the school’s ability to promote learning that will prepare children to attend a secondary education school.

Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and education professional, founded the Montessori method in the early 1900s through her observation of children with disabilities. She applied the findings of her research to study children without disabilities and created training programs for others to apply her methods. Today there are many Montessori schools that follow the basic principles determined by Montessori. Choosing a Montessori school that will encourage and support a child through their developing years is an important decision for any parent, and they should fully understand the principles and types of instruction that will be employed at the educational center of their choice.

A Montessori school will provide a specially prepared classroom that contains toys and materials that will allow children to discover their own talents and learn concepts that will help them to better understand their world around them. There is less emphasis on playtime and imaginary concepts, and classroom activities are not led through lectures. Children are encouraged to play with specific items that teach them concepts about color, order and dimensions. Teachers will observe the child’s interactions and present more challenging projects that they show interest in. There are no set goals or defined punishments of failing to complete a project correctly.

Practical life activities are used in Montessori schools to teach real-life activities and promote coordination. Children will learn how to polish or clean a surface, practice opening locks, scoop or pour food or liquids into another container or learn to work with buckles, zippers or buttons. Children learn their relationship to the world by learning about the location and place in history through lessons on geography and science. Language and mathematics skill lessons help to prepare children for secondary education.

Another benefit of choosing a Montessori school for a child is the method’s emphasis on multi-age grouping. Children of different education levels and ages are grouped together and taught to learn from one another. Younger children begin to emulate the older children’s attitudes and behavior, and older children learn about caring and mentoring their counterparts.

Montessori schools inspire confidence, a quest for learning and discovery and social interaction skills in an environment where teachers are supportive, engaging and value individual personalities. Children essentially learn how to learn, and this prepares each child for future academic and social excellence.