What is Montessori?

The Montessori Method of education was developed by Dr Maria Montessori who was one of the most influential pioneers in early childhood education in the 20th century. Her principles and philosophies have become widely known and recognised over a period of more than ninety years and these are now increasingly used throughout the world in mainstream education.

Dr Montessori was born in Italy in 1870. Her original interest was in medicine; she was the first woman to graduate from the University of Rome Medical School and gradually became interested in education through her work as a doctor, treating what are known today as children with 'special needs'. Because of her medical background she approached education not as an educator or a philosopher but as a scientist. Working with some of the poorest and most disadvantaged children of working parents in Rome she used the classroom as a laboratory for observing them and for developing ideas and materials which would help them to achieve their full potential. There was nothing cold or clinical about her theories: they were tailored to the needs of the growing child that  sprang from Montessori's intense love and respect for all children.

So great was the success of her Montessori Method that she travelled the world, establishing schools and lecturing about her discoveries. She wrote numerous books and many articles right up until her death in 1952.

She left to the world the legacy of a method of education which combines a practical approach based on a carefully planned learning environment with a philosophy centred on the idea of

freedom for the child. All children, says Montessori, are intrinsically motivated to learn and they absorb knowledge without effort when provided with the right kind of activities at the right time in their development.

How does the Montessori Method differ from mainstream forms of Education?

In a Montessori classroom, the children of mixed age and ability are free to move around and select the specially designed learning materials from any of the designated subject areas e.g. Practical Life (for example where the child learns the pincher grip in readiness to hold a pencil for writing and concentration in the art of transferring liquid from one container to another etc), Language (for example by tracing with their finger each of the sandpaper letters whilst learning the phonetic sound, the use of reading schemes etc), Mathematics (for example by using the spindle box and golden bead materials to learn the concept of number and quantity) Sensorial (for example where the child learns the concept of size, quantity by the pink tower, knobbed cylinders etc) and Cultural where the child obtains an understanding of the world in which they live. This is undertaken in a quiet, calm child centred environment enabling each child to fully utilise their particular sensitive period for each area of learning, assisted with the support and guidance of the Montessori Teacher/Directress.

This renowned method of early year education has been proved to provide the best possible start for children establishing personal attributes of independence, self-respect, confidence and co-ordination in preparation for their future educational goals.