Anyone who’s a mom has likely heard the phrase, “The Montessori Method,” thrown around when their children get to be school-aged. You may know it’s an education style or a way of life–but, some might not know more than that.
But what is the Montessori Method exactly? Is Montessori right for you?
Here are some simple Montessori School basics to either help you keep up with the conversations in the playgroup or start your research to see if it’s right for your family.
Dr. Maria Montessori was a medical doctor who found her way to children’s education by watching some children who were patients at an asylum in Rome, Italy. Here, she realized the children were desperate for activities to stimulate their senses. This eventually led her to open the first Montessori School in 1907, and she called it “Casa Dei Bambini”–Children’s House in English. Through trial and error, she determined which activities supported natural education and development. Her most basic and simple principle was: Follow the child.
The work cycle:
Simply put, the work cycle (or work period) is an uninterrupted period of time where children are able to explore a prepared area and choose what they wish to explore. For most classes, this is a three-hour block of time, but that can vary depending on age. The purpose of the work cycle is to give them time to develop independence, make choices and really enjoy and focus on their work.
The work environment:
In a Montessori work environment (or prepared environment), everything has its place. Everything has a purpose. When you first walk into a Montessori classroom, you may notice everything is lower to the ground, especially if you are in a room for the younger age groups. It may not be at eye level like you are used to seeing everything around you as an adult. This is, again, because Montessori is focused around the students and it is specifically designed to meet their needs. By keeping everything “child-sized” it promotes independence and limits the need of the child relying on the adult.
Life and practicality:
Especially with younger children, the Montessori philosophy emphasizes practical life skills such as cleaning, cooking, washing and more. These like skills help the child develop motor skills, balance, coordination, problem-solving and more.
Learning towers are a popular Montessori item for any family, whether you follow this philosophy or not. Our son has had his learning tower for about a year now and he is always excited when I ask him if he wants to help me do something in the kitchen with it.
The Guide:
The teacher in your child’s classroom might be referred to as the “guide” and they generally address children one-on-one, rather than in a group with everyone watching them like a traditional classroom. Also, children work with materials that allow them to learn and discover at their own pace while sticking to their educational plan. Generally, in traditional school settings, children learn from a teacher who provides information for them to remember and the teacher determines what is correct or incorrect with the class as a whole moving on to the next project even if students aren’t always ready for it.
Freedom:
Okay, you might see this and think you don’t want your kids running wild and free while at school. Or you might think your kids get plenty of freedom with their current schooling, and maybe they do. This is about allowing your child to make age-appropriate decisions, like what socks they want to wear today. This doesn’t seem like much to you, but it helps establish independence and confidence in the child. The guide carefully watches the child and can help or modify the lesson if appropriate. Every child has different strengths and weaknesses, and Montessori believes children need the freedom to choose their work because traditional schooling lessons don’t cater to everyone in the class being taught in a group setting.
Keep in mind, not all Montessori schools follow these principles exactly, but they are the basis for all things Montessori. Also, any school can use the Montessori name, since she never filed for any trademarks or patents. One tool you can use to learn more about a school you are interested in is the directory on the American Montessori Society. They provide accreditation and further resources for schools wishing to attain them.
Unfortunately, schools have taken advantage of the Montessori name without even partially following Dr. Montessori’s guidelines, leaving some parents with horrible experiences and while believing their children were receiving a true Montessori-style education.
If you research Montessori schools in your area, you will likely find the options for children as young as 2 and slimmer options for children older than 5. So, what do you do if you don’t have a Montessori school in your area? All of the basic Montessori principles can easily be applied at home.
As you can see, the Montessori Method and philosophy is so much more than wooden toys and materials. In my family’s personal Montessori School experience, I noticed a difference in our son’s behavior in the first few days. He was never a misbehaved child, but once he started Montessori, he had fewer tantrums and the ones he did have, he seemed to get over more quickly. He also would say “please” and “thank you” without me asking. And he also learned how to hold a pencil correctly. I’m very glad we made the switch for our son and am looking forward to many more years of Montessori.
You can follow along with Claire and all her motherhood adventures on Instagram @daytodayclaire.
