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The Montessori method of education is a system of education for young children that seeks to develop natural interests and activities rather than use formal teaching methods. It was developed by Italian physician Maria Montessori.
It emphasizes independence and it views children as naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a sufficiently supportive and well-prepared learning environment.
It discourages some conventional measures of achievement, such as grades and tests. Montessori developed her theories in the early never through scientific experimentation with her students; the method has since been used in many parts of the world, in public and private schools alike.
Montessori education is based on a model of human development.
This educational style operates abiding by two beliefs: that psychological self-construction in children and developing adults occurs through environmental interactions and that children (especially under the age of six) have an innate path of psychological development.
Based on her observations, Montessori believed that children who are at liberty to choose and act freely within an environment prepared according to her model would act spontaneously for optimal development.
Although a range of practices exist under the "Montessori" name, the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and the American Montessori Society (AMS) cite these elements as essential:
- Mixed-age classrooms: classrooms for children ages 2+1⁄2 or 3 to 6 years old are by far the most common, but 0–3, 6–9, 9–12, 12–15, and 15–18-year-old classrooms exist as well.
- Student choice of activity from within a prescribed range of options
- Uninterrupted blocks of work time, ideally three hours long
- A constructivist or "discovery" model, in which students learn concepts from working with materials rather than by direct instruction
- Specialized educational materials often made out of natural, aesthetic materials such as wood, rather than plastic
- A thoughtfully prepared environment where materials are organized by subject area, are accessible to children, and are appropriately sized
- Freedom, within limits
- A trained teacher experienced in observing a child's characteristics, tendencies, innate talents, and abilities
Montessori education involves free activity within a "prepared environment", meaning an educational environment tailored to basic human characteristics, to the specific characteristics of children at different ages, and to the individual personalities of each child.
The function of the environment is to help and allow the child to develop independence in all areas according to his or her inner psychological directives. In addition to offering access to the Montessori materials appropriate to the age of the children, the environment should exhibit the following characteristics: