Educator Maria Montessori was the first woman to practice medicine in Italy.  As a physician Dr. Montessori regularly observed young children and came to recognize that the universal laws of development applied to children of all races and cultures. Every child has within himself or herself what it takes to succeed regardless of socioeconomic status. Children learn by doing!  She developed a hands on curriculum whereby specially designed materials are displayed on low, open shelves and children select what interests them. They complete the activity, clean it up and then begin another. This evolves into a work cycle where children become self-directed. Teachers introduce new concepts and carefully observe and direct each child's progress and development. As students become familiar with each area of study they begin to better understand the world and their role in it. This not only develops purpose for the student, but it also develops a confidence in their exploration of the world around them. Here is a comparison of Traditional classroom and Montessori learning methods:
   Montessori Method
  • Teacher has unobtrusive role in classroom
  • Environment and method encourage self-discipline
  • Group and individual instruction
  • Mixed aged grouping
  • Grouping encourages children to teach and help each other           
  • Child chooses own work
  • Child discovers own concepts from self-teaching materials           
  • Child works as long as he wishes on chosen work           
  • Child sets own learning pace          
  • Child spots own errors from feedback of material           
  • Multi-sensory materials for physical exploration           
  • Child can work where he chooses, move around and talk at will (yet not disturb the work of others); group work is voluntary
  • Child reinforces own learning by repetition of work and internal feeling of success
 Traditional Method
  • Teacher is center of classroom as "controller"
  • Teacher acts as primary enforcer of discipline
  • Mainly individual instruction
  • Same age grouping
  • Most teaching done by teacher
  • Curriculum structured for child
  • Child is guided to concepts by teacher
  • Child generally allotted specific time for work
  • Instruction pace usually set by group norm
  • If work is corrected, errors are usually pointed out by teacher
  • Few materials for sensory development
  • Child usually assigned own chair, encouraged to participate, sit still  and listen during group sessions
  • Learning is reinforced externally by repetition and rewards

_Providence Montessori Christian School 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue Richmond, Virginia 23222 804-643-0434