What Is Montessori?
Montessori is an educational philosophy focused on the total development of the child—social, emotional, intellectual, physical, cultural and spiritual.
Developed by Dr Maria Montessori in the early 20th century, it was considered a groundbreaking approach at the time. Today, with the benefit of research, this holistic educational method has been shown to be most beneficial for the child’s current development and as a preparation for their future learning. The Montessori approach has played a role in Australian education for over 100 years. In 2020, over 22,000 Montessori schools across the globe celebrated the 150th anniversary of Dr Maria Montessori’s birth.
The key outcomes of a Montessori education include:
Independence and tolerance with respect for the rights and needs of others.
Initiative and self-motivation, embedding effective work habits for the future.
Creative intelligence and imagination.
Confidence, self-esteem and a sense of achievement.
The Montessori philosophy is child-centred, based on mutual respect and cooperation, and provides a secure and ordered environment in which the child feels free to explore, discover and realise their potential.