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The Montessori method is often thought of as one of those hidden gems in the field of education. It’s hidden because so many people outside of the educational system have never even heard of it. And it’s a gem because it’s such a creative way to empower kids to take responsibility for their own learning and development as well as help them grow. Unlike the traditional American classroom—where students sit in neat little rows of desks learning the exact same thing at the exact same time—a Montessori classroom is always bustling with activity and exploration. So, it’s no wonder that so many brilliant thinkers of our day, like Jeff Bezos, Larry Page, and Sergei Brin, were once the recipients of a Montessori education themselves. To help you get a better understanding of Montessori education—particularly the history and philosophy behind it and how that plays out inside a Montessori classroom today—we’ve put together this helpful guide as a resource for you. History of Montessori history of Montessori education actually goes back more than a hundred years which is pretty surprising when you think about how innovative the educational philosophy remains to this day. Based on the work of a true visionary, Dr. Maria Montessori, the Montessori philosophy emerged at just the right moment in time when schools in inner-city Rome needed it most. After becoming the first female physician in Italy in 1896, Dr. Maria Montessori then went on to judge an international competition on pedagogy and psychology in 1906. After that competition ended, she was invited to create her own childcare center in San Lorenzo, Italy to serve underprivileged youth who had never attended formal schooling before. That is when Dr. Montessori really hit her stride and the reason why her name is so well-known in educational circles even today. Tasked with educating disruptive students who had little to no interest in learning, Dr. Montessoriwas able to think beyond the modern educational philosophy of the time. Through scientific observation, she noted that even the most undisciplined students enjoyed learning through play, preparing their own meals, and tending to their own environment.

Through her observations, Dr. Montessori discovered that children learn best by investigating the world around them and that they’re actually pretty capable of teaching themselves through hands-on activities. The once unruly students at Casa dei Bambini did so well, in fact, that in 1907, Dr. Montessoriopened two more Casa dei Bambini locations. And soon enough, people began visiting her schools from all around the world in order to learn more about the Montessori philosophy she had created. Montessori PhilosophyThe Montessori philosophy is based on the premise that each child takes ownership of their personal learning journey. In a Montessori classroom, teachers are there simply to guide students and provide them with help as needed. And while the role of the teacher also includes helping children discover their passions—and then assisting them in finding the best approach with which to follow those passions—it’s also important for the Montessori teacher to skillfully provide freedom within limits. Stated in simpler terms, the Montessori teacher’s job is to nurture the natural curiosity inherent in every child without becoming too involved in the learning process that’s already taking place. In other words, students are left to investigate and make new meaning for themselves while still under the direction of a highly-skilled teacher who provides whatever guidance an individual student may need at any given time. On that note, according to Montessori philosophy, learning should be more of an individualized process based on each child’s developmental stage and unique strengths at that time. For Dr.Montessori, this meant creating tailored learning plans, designing hands-on learning materials to meet specific needs, and setting up carefully prepared environments in which to learn. But the Montessori philosophy certainly didn’t end with the traditional subject areas one would typically find in school. Rather, the Montessori philosophy was extended to incorporate all aspects of a child’s life. Thus, educating the whole child by developing their physical, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual sides. The Montessori method of education consists of eight core principles that help students learn under optimal conditions.

Montessori MethodIn essence, the Montessori method of education is a child-first program that promotes self-exploration as well as collaborative learning with peers. And it consists of eight core principles that help all students learn under optimal conditions. The eight-core principles of a classroom following the Montessori method are as follows:

1. Mixed-Age ClassroomsThere are many benefits to including mixed-age students within the Montessori learning environment. First off, having children of different ages work together in the same space allows them to learn from a diverse group of their peers, develop the skills necessary for negotiation and collaboration, and gain experience as both a mentee and a mentor over time. Secondly, it allows students to build deep relationships with safe adults in the classroom who guide their learning process for several years in a row.

2. Student Choice of ActivityStudent choice is another important core principle in the Montessori classroom. When students are able to select from a group of pre-planned activities, their rates of engagement, motivation, and work completion all go up significantly. And they learn the concept of responsibility while also feeling like they have more control over the learning process.

3. Uninterrupted Blocks of Work TimeThe third core principle of Montessori education is providing students with uninterrupted blocks of work time. Instead of following a set schedule—where students are forced to stop working on one subject in order to work on another at a certain time—in the Montessori classroom, there are work cycles where students can work on any of their assignments during that period of time. This allows children to work at their own pace as well as choose what to work on and when. And they don’t get held back or pushed forward just to keep up the same pace as their peers.

4. A Self-Discovery Model for Learning

The fourth core principle you’ll find in a Montessori classroom is self-discovery. This means that children are able to choose what they need to learn at any given moment. This principle encourages children to become active participants in the learning process, but it also promotes independence and decision-making as it relates to which learning path the student chooses to follow. Of course, all subject areas are explored within the Montessori classroom so self-discovery is more about children deciding how they want to interact with subject area materials rather than skipping over them entirely.5.Specially Designed Learning MaterialsProviding students with specially designed learningmaterialsis another principle of the Montessori philosophy. Instead of being presented with countless worksheets, children in a Montessori classroom are instead presented with a variety of manipulatives. For example, things like beads, binomial cubes, and puzzle maps all have a daily presence in class so that students can learn through hands-on discovery.6.Carefully Prepared Learning EnvironmentsThesixth principle of Montessori is creating carefullyprepared learning environments in which children can learn. This means that Montessori classrooms are intentionally set up to encourage children to learn independently from the adults in the room. With the assistance of a work plan, specially designed learning materials, and sensory-rich learning spaces, children take full advantage of the learning environment to meet their educational needs.7.Freedom to Move Within the ClassroomAnother principle that sets Montessori apart from other educational philosophies is giving students the freedom to move within the classroom. In a traditional classroom setting, children are restricted to their individual desks most of the day. But, in a Montessori setting, children are able to work anywhere within the classroom, retrieve and return learning materials as needed, and work collaboratively with their peers on assignments—whether that be at a group table or on the floor.8.A Highly Trained TeacherThe eighth and final principle of Montessori philosophy is having a highly trained teacher in the classroom. Unlike other classroom teachers, who are also highly trained in traditional educational practices, Montessori teachers are highly trained in Montessori practice and procedures.They are skilled at assisting students in their own learning process instead of directly leading it. Plus, they are trained in nurturing children’s natural curiosity at each developmental stage instead of creating a one-size-fits-all approach like you see in a traditional classroom setting. Montessori ClassroomNow that you’re familiar with all things Montessori, you may be left wondering what a typical Montessori classroom looks like. To paint a picture, close your eyes and imagine a classroom where you would see the following:

●Children of mixed ages interacting with one another and benefitting from having a diverse group of peers available to them at any given time

●Students working both independently and collaboratively in the same learning environment

●Younger students being mentored by older students

●Highly skilled teachers providing guidance as needed

●Children working at their own pace in uninterrupted blocks of work time

●Students selecting which activities to work on at which time