The Montessori Difference

The Montessori approach to education offers a broad vision of education as an aid to life. It is designed to help children with their task of inner construction as they grow from childhood to maturity. It succeeds because it draws its principles from the natural development of the child. Dr. Montessori’s methods were developed nearly 100 years ago in Italy to construct a learning environment which would nourish the full development of the individual, giving the student the tools and resiliency to respond to an ever-changing world.


Montessori classrooms are carefully prepared so that students can respond to their natural desire to work. The children’s innate passion for learning is encouraged by giving them opportunities to engage in spontaneous, purposeful activities with the guidance of a trained adult, the Montessori Guide. Through their work, the children develop concentration and joyful self-discipline.


Within a framework of order, the children progress at their own pace and rhythm, according to their capabilities.


Five areas of development: practical life, sensorial, language, mathematics and culture together cultivate the children’s adaptation and ability to express and think with clarity. This approach to education enables children to take responsibility for their own education, giving them the opportunity to make choices and becoming unique human beings.



Key Concepts of Montessori

Montessori education uses several key concepts to provide a high quality education based on scientific research.

The Process

The Montessori Method fosters autonomous, competent, responsible, adaptive citizens who are lifelong learners and problem-solvers.


Learning occurs in an inquisitive, cooperative atmosphere. Students increase their own knowledge through self- and guide-initiated experiences.


Learning takes place through the senses. Students learn through manipulating materials and interacting with others. These meaningful experiences are precursors to the abstract understanding of ideas.


The individual is considered as a whole. Physical, emotional, social, aesthetic, and cognitive needs and interests are inseparable and equally important.


Respect for oneself, others, the environment, and life is necessary to develop a caring attitude towards all people and the planet.

The Guides

Montessori teachers, traditionally referred to as “Guides”, are specially educated in the Montessori philosophy and methodology appropriate to the age level they are teaching.


The Montessori Guide is educated in the following areas:


Human growth and development.


Observational skills to match students' developmental needs with materials and activities. Observational skills also allow the guide to lead students through creating individual plans of learning.


Teaching strategies that support and facilitate the unique and total growth of each individual.


Classroom leadership skills that foster a nurturing environment that is physically and psychologically supportive to learning.


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