One thing you hear often from Montessori schools and parents is the term “follow the child.” As a core tenet of the Montessori philosophy, Follow the Child is seen in many elements of the classroom and curriculum. For teachers, Follow the Child permeates every action they make, and it helps them guide their students through…
Did you know that the Montessori method is not trademarked? That may come as a surprise to you and could present an obstacle. Interestingly, Dr. Maria Montessori never put trademarks on any of the material that she created. This means that anyone can open a Montessori school, even when the curriculum and environment doesn’t match…
Many parents worry that Montessori isn’t going to work for their children. Although the philosophy of Montessori is a tremendous draw for most, you fear that Montessori is too constrained or too flexible for your child. That’s why you started wondering, “Does Montessori work for every child?” It’s completely understandable that you would be concerned,…
Bright, colorful, and organized. That might be how someone describes a Montessori classroom when you ask them about it. On first glance, you might notice that the Montessori environment is organized to give the children as much space and freedom as possible. There is no teacher’s desk at the front of the classroom, only a…
One of the most important questions you are going to ask yourself when deciding on a school for your child is the kind of education you want them to receive. You may even be part of a growing group of parents who understand that education is multi-faceted, that traditional schooling doesn’t always work. That is…
In the words of Maria Montessori: “What is social life if not the solving of social problems, behaving properly and pursuing aims acceptable to all? Sitting side-by-side and hearing someone else talk.” To know when to actively listen, to show empathy, and to be able to kindly disagree are all soft skills that are highly…
Take a look at a classroom in a Philadelphia Montessori school and you’ll see a space filled with wooden toys, child-sized chairs, and neatly organized shelves and boxes. But what might surprise you the most is the minimalist quality of it all. The classrooms are always tidy and uncluttered with things. Can you do the…
Ever wonder what the secret to the success of a Montessori classroom might be? There are many reasons why Montessori works, but one is especially crucial to the classroom. Freedom of choice. As Dr. Maria Montessori once said, the child “must have absolute freedom of choice, and then [they require] nothing but repeated experiences, which…
Dr. Maria Montessori is often quoted for saying two intriguing things: “What the hand does, the mind remembers,” and “the hands are the instruments of man’s intelligence.” This is more than just an observation of muscle memory. Maria Montessori formed a type of early education that focuses largely on the physical and mental experiences a…
Montessori is unique in that it can seep into other aspects of your life. The more you know about it, the more you see education and life differently from others. And yes, it’s a truly remarkable thing! Yet, in order to maintain a Montessori lifestyle both in school and at home, consistency is crucial. The…