Montessori Education

• Internationally recognized method of education formulated by Dr. Maria Montessori
• AMI was established in 1929 by Dr. Maria Montessori to maintain, propagate, and further the Montessori Method of education worldwide
• 4,000 Montessori schools in the US and Canada
• Assumes children are born intelligent, learn in different ways, and progress at their own pace
• Fosters a child’s natural curiosity to learn and encourages independence and self-confidence
• Develops self-discipline and an internal sense of purpose and motivation

What are the Characteristics of an Individual with Montessori Education?

• Academic Preparation: independently functioning adults and life-long learners
• Intrinsic Motivation: innate desire to engage in activities
• Internalized Ground Rules and the Ability to Work with External Authority: learn to behave appropriately whether or not the teachers are present
• Social Responsibility: sensitive to the rights and needs of others; positive contributors to society
• Autonomy: self-directed, composed, and morally independent
• Confidence and competence: not afraid of failure and learning from mistakes
• Creativity and Originality of Thought: confident expressing their own ideas and creativity
• Spiritual Awareness: exceptionally compassionate, empathetic, and sensitive to the natural world and the human condition

What is the Benefit of a Mixed-Age Classroom?

• Children find peers who are working at their current level regardless of their age
• Gifted children can advance academically, but feel emotionally in the right place
• Older children serve as tutors and role models for younger ones
• Learn not to be afraid of making mistakes--see mistakes as natural steps in the learning process

What is the Teachers Role in Montessori?

• Has deep respect for children as unique individuals with concern for social and emotional development
• Sets high expectations for all students, not only those considered “gifted”
• Awakens the child’s spirit and imagination
• Encourages normal desire for independence and high sense of self-esteem
• Helps develop the kindness, courtesy, and self discipline that will allow them to become a full member of society
• Helps children learn how to observe, question, and explore ideas independently

Traditional Education in Comparison

• Teach students the basic facts and skills that they will need to succeed in the world
• Studies show that in many classrooms, as much as 40 percent of the day may be spent on disciple and classroom management
• Schools exist to cover a curriculum, not develop character and self-esteem
• In highly competitive schools, students memorize facts and concepts with little understanding, only to quickly forget them when exams are over
• Studies show that many bright students are passive learners. Coasting through school, earning high grades, but rarely pushing themselves to read material that hasn’t been assigned, ask probing questions, challenge their teacher’s cherished opinions, or think for themselves. They typically want teachers to hand them the “right answers”.

Famous People Who Attended Montessori School as Children

• Jeff Bezos, financial analyst, founder, AMAZON.COM
• Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Co-founders of GOOGLE.COM
• T. Berry Brazelton, noted pediatrician and author
• Julia Child, famous chef, star of many TV cooking shows and author of numerous cookbooks
• Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (deceased), editor, former first lady (John F. Kennedy)
• Prince William and Prince Harry, English royal family
• Anne Frank, famous diarist from World War II
• Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Nobel Prize winner for Literature