"We must
support as much as possible the child's desires for activity; not wait on him,
but educate him to be independent."
-Maria Montessori
What Is Montessori?
Montessori (pronounced MON-tuh-SORE-ee) is a comprehensive educational approach from
birth to adulthood based on the observation of children's needs in a variety of cultures
all around the world.
Beginning her work almost a century ago, Dr. Maria Montessori
developed this educational approach based on her understanding of children's natural
learning tendencies as they unfold in "prepared
environments" for multi-age groups (0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, and 12-14).
The Montessori environment contains specially designed, manipulative "materials for
development" that invite children to engage in learning activities of their own
individual choice. Under the guidance of a trained teacher,
children in a Montessori classroom learn by making discoveries with the materials,
cultivating concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning.
Today, Montessori schools are found worldwide, serving children from birth through
adolescence. In the United States, there are more than 3,000 private Montessori schools
and close to 200 public schools with Montessori-styled programs. The Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), founded by
Maria Montessori in 1929, maintains Montessori educational principles and disseminates
Montessori education throughout the world.
For more information, see Common Misconceptions about
Montessori Education and Montessori: Creating a
Paradigm Shift in Education.
Here are some other links about Maria Montessori and her methods:
We would like to thank NAMTA
for the above information and links.
copyright (c) 1996 NAMTA. When quoting or paraphrasing, please acknowledge the North
American Montessori Teachers' Association as source. |
