Montessori Education: 100 Years and Counting!

By Pamela Lynn

A young child’s environment has a tremendous impact on his or her future.  When my own child was on the way, I read a plethora of books on child development, including a wonderful book about Montessori education.  I observed in a Montessori school and fell in love with the peaceful, respectful and child-centered classrooms.  Thirty-five years later, and after opening and directing three Montessori schools, my love affair with the Montessori method is still going strong.  There is no greater joy in my life than seeing a child progress through the program and witnessing his or her development as a human being. This January marks the 100^th anniversary of Montessori education. In celebrating Maria Montessori and her (frequently misunderstood) legacy, I would like to clarify any misconceptions about what Montessori is and is not. 

There are more than four thousand Montessori schools in the US and Canada, and thousands more around the world, but no two Montessori schools are alike.  Just as each child is unique, so are the many schools that exist under the umbrella of “Montessori” education. Two governing bodies exist for Montessori education: the American Montessori Society (AMS) and the Association Montessori Internationale (sic) (AMI).  Both provide teacher training and accreditation. But there is no trademark on the name “Montessori,” so any school can use the name without seeking approval from any central organization.  Some Montessori schools pride themselves on remaining faithful to what they see as Dr. Maria Montessori’s original vision; others exercise their freedom to adapt and interpret her ideas.

Montessori schools can be found in a variety of communities, from suburban and inner-city public school systems to the private homes of individual directors.  Many are found in affluent communities, but just as many serve working-class neighborhoods and the poor. Most Montessori schools only have programs for children ages 3 to 6. Montessori infant-toddler programs, though rare, are becoming more popular. Many older, more established schools continue the Montessori program into the elementary and middle school grades while a few programs in the US extend through high school.

What makes Montessori schools different?

§         Montessori schools begin with a deep respect for children as unique individuals and deep concern for their social and emotional development.

§         Montessori sets high expectations for all students, not just those considered ‘gifted.’ The Montessori method recognizes and addresses different learning styles. Students progress at their own pace, based on skills mastery.

§         Montessori consciously teaches children to be kind and peaceful.

§         Montessori classrooms are not run by the teachers alone.  Students are taught to develop leadership skills and independence.

§         Montessori students learn through hands-on experience, investigation and research (versus rote drill and memorization).  They become actively engaged in their studies, rather than passively waiting to be taught.

§         Students develop a love for the natural world.  Natural science and outdoor education is an important element of our children’s experience.

§         Montessori curriculum is structured to demonstrate the connections among different subject areas, and every class teaches critical thinking, research, and composition.

§         Students learn not to be afraid of making mistakes; they come to see their mistakes as natural steps in the learning process.

§         Montessori students learn to collaborate and work together in learning, and on major projects, striving for their personal best rather than competing against one another for the highest grade in their class.

Pamela Lynn, M.ED., has been involved in Montessori education for 35 years and is the director of the Bergamo Schools:  Montessori Country Day & Woodland Montessori School.  She can be reached at Pam@BergamoSchools.com.