The Montessori Difference
The Montessori Difference
Montessori education centres around your child’s natural development and building their motivation from within. When education is externally imposed, as how most schools still do, its impact is fleeting, momentary, just enough to get the correct answer and then be quickly forgotten.
The difference in Montessori is that education begins by noticing the child’s interests and then sparking their curiosity to know more. By kindling that flame through hands-on, self-paced, challenging yet joyful learning, Montessori education transforms the whole child. Here are three common characteristics of Authentic Montessori schools:
The Montessori Difference
Montessori education centres around your child’s natural development and building their motivation from within. When education is externally imposed, as how most schools still do, its impact is fleeting, momentary, just enough to get the correct answer and then be quickly forgotten.
The difference in Montessori is that education begins by noticing the child’s interests and then sparking their curiosity to know more. By kindling that flame through hands-on, self-paced, challenging yet joyful learning, Montessori education transforms the whole child. Here are three common characteristics of Authentic Montessori schools:
Individualised Approach
The Montessori method focuses on your child’s specific needs instead of teaching to the average student level on an adult-determined timeline. In simple terms, it meets your child where they are. This is important because we know that learning is not linear and children do not take on new skills in perfect synchronisation with their peers.
A customised approach does not mean that a student works alone, but that the approach of the teacher differs for each learner. By differentiating instruction, each child is able to work on their weaknesses without shame or the feeling of being behind the group, nor is a child bored from lessons that are not sufficiently advanced.
Lessons build upon one another and allow for children to inquire and explore. Gaps in knowledge are prevented because Montessori teachers will repeat lessons or use a different way to present a concept until your child shows understanding.
Individualised Approach
The Montessori method focuses on your child’s specific needs instead of teaching to the average student level on an adult-determined timeline. In simple terms, it meets your child where they are. This is important because we know that learning is not linear and children do not take on new skills in perfect synchronisation with their peers.
A customised approach does not mean that a student works alone, but that the approach of the teacher differs for each learner. By differentiating instruction, each child is able to work on their weaknesses without shame or the feeling of being behind the group, nor is a child bored from lessons that are not sufficiently advanced.
Lessons build upon one another and allow for children to inquire and explore. Gaps in knowledge are prevented because Montessori teachers will repeat lessons or use a different way to present a concept until your child shows understanding.
Lessons build upon one another and allow for children to inquire and explore.
Gaps in knowledge are prevented because Montessori teachers will repeat lessons or use a different way to present a concept until your child shows understanding.
Hands-on materials allow your child to actively acquire knowledge and skills.
Every personalised lesson is targeted to challenge your child where they are in this particular moment, and stretch them to reach the next step.
Mixed Age Groups
Montessori classrooms from Casa dei Bambini and up have a three-year age range of students (ages 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, 12-14) and a corresponding three-year curriculum and set of materials. At the beginning of the year, one third of the class is new, another third is more experienced, and the last third is mentoring others.
Over three years, your child will get to experience the classroom through different lenses. This setting is similar to the workplace, where you will not always be surrounded by colleagues of the same level of expertise. Your child grows to value the contribution of each person in the group while learning to relate to others effortlessly. Inherently, the children understand that variations in learning as well as experience and background are normal and respected within a community.
Mixed Age Groups
Montessori classrooms from Casa dei Bambini and up have a three-year age range of students (ages 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, 12-14) and a corresponding three-year curriculum and set of materials. At the beginning of the year, one third of the class is new, another third is more experienced, and the last third is mentoring others.
Over three years, your child will get to experience the classroom through different lenses. This setting is similar to the workplace, where you will not always be surrounded by colleagues of the same level of expertise. Your child grows to value the contribution of each person in the group while learning to relate to others effortlessly. Inherently, the children understand that variations in learning as well as experience and background are normal and respected within a community.
Montessori teachers rotate around the classroom giving small group and individual lessons tailored to each child’s level.
Leadership is naturally built into the daily classroom experience.
Each child can observe what they are learning now and where they came from in the past, but also the lessons they anticipate in the future and how it all connects.
The multi-age community ultimately shapes children to value collaboration over competition.
Preparation For The Real World
Montessori educators are preparing each child to become a capable and contributing individual by balancing their moral, behavioural, emotional, intellectual and social skills with their academic progress.
They prioritise your child’s whole development because they know that if children feel connected, they will naturally want to learn. Montessori education prepares your child for life. In Montessori classrooms, the development of essential life skills are equally emphasised with academics. Here are some of those social competencies that are integral to the approach:
Preparation For The Real World
Montessori educators are preparing each child to become a capable and contributing individual by balancing their moral, behavioural, emotional, intellectual and social skills with their academic progress.
They prioritise your child’s whole development because they know that if children feel connected, they will naturally want to learn. Montessori education prepares your child for life. In Montessori classrooms, the development of essential life skills are equally emphasised with academics. Here are some of those social competencies that are integral to the approach:
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Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world.
Maria Montessori
