Montessori School Education

About this video lesson:
Montessori Education is based on the principles developed by Maria Montessori, who opened her first school for children of low-income workers in an apartment building in Rome in 1907. The school was called “Casa Dei Bambini”, Home for Children.

This first “Casa” was furnished with a teacher's table, a stove, a blackboard, some chairs, group tables for the children and a cabinet filled with materials that Montessori developed in her earlier career when she researched how to teach kids who experience some form of mental disability.
Maria Montessori created the materials after she realized that students seem to understand complex concepts better when they engaged all their senses.

Activities at this first school included personal care (such as dressing and undressing), care of the environment like sweeping, dusting and gardening. Otherwise, they were free to move around and play with the materials. Montessori did not teach herself but instead oversaw the classroom work of her teachers.

Montessori observed that children showed episodes of deep concentration and multiple repetitions of the same activity. Given free choice, kids showed more interest in practical activities and the materials than normal toys, sweets or other rewards. Over time spontaneous self-discipline emerged.

Montessori concluded that working independently children seemed to reach new levels of autonomy and become self-motivated learners. She began to see the role of the teacher as a facilitator of young human beings who are free to move and act within the limits of a prepared environment. The goal: to grow children to become independent and responsible adults who share a love for learning.

Soon after Montessori herself and her ideas started traveling the world to inspired progressive thinkers and educators from all over. The inventors, Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison, became early advocates. Later alumni include Jimmy Wales from Wikipedia, author Gabriel Garcia Marquez as well as the two Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin.

Today the term “Montessori” stands more for a method, than a school itself. The fact that it can be used freely by anyone led to a great variation of schools. Educators all over the world borrow Montessori's name, insights, and materials to organize kindergartens, elementary schools, special needs programs, or even full 12-year curriculums. Some parents use it for homeschooling.

The following characteristics are shared among most programs:

- Students are free to choose what to learn
- Open classrooms that allow free movement
- Use of specialized Montessori materials
- Mixed-age classes (from 0-3, 3-6 or 6-12) so children can learn from each other
- Uninterrupted blocks of study time, usually three hours
- No grading or homework
- and a trained teacher

Maria Montessori once famously said: “Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.”What are your thoughts on Montessori? Please share your opinions in the comments below!

[sammiegirl]

I wish it was more accessible to families with lower-income like it originally was.

[trucng]

Montessori philosophy focuses on training children to be independent in movement, learning and thought. Being a Montessori teacher, I am proud seeing my children making their own decisions everyday! In the classroom, there is no racing, no winning, children just do their best.

[Candlelit]

Letting children learn at their own pace is of great importance! As a English Teacher in a Montessori classroom the dynamics are of great use. They learn so fast and we act as helpers more than peers. ☺️

[julicrestani]

I raised my child at home in a Montessori way. That was the best thing that I did for him until now. Love this methodology. ❤️

[FBI-real]

Montesorri schools are amazing. We sit anywhere, I don't see anybody sad. We have breaks and things. We have a review that we can do throughout the week. I get to ask my sixth graders to help, and to help the lower kids. My teacher just writes the things we should do and says "okay do these when you want" and its interesting. I get to use stuff to help. We wear slippers and socks, we read when we want. It is amazing and I recommend these to anybody reading -happy fifth grader in a montesorri school

[aaronburrell]

My 16 year old went to Montessori school as a child and she’s brilliant now. I’m a believer in the system for sure.

[maddieashton]

I attended a Montessori preschool from 2003-2005. I will ALWAYS look back lovingly on my school, my classmates, and my teachers at my Montessori school. What a priceless learning experience it was for me! I can say without a doubt that I have remained an independent learner throughout my life and have also continued to hold a respect and regard for the environment and people around me. And now that I’m 24 and gearing up for marriage and children in the next few years, I’d like to continue the Montessori tradition for my family.

[danielromomusica]

I'm a montessori teacher and is amazing how children develop themselves by this method

[laureenb]

Montessori is absolutely the best way to "do" education. I run an authentic Montessori Adolescent Program (12-15 years) in the middle of a small mainstream public high school in Victoria, Australia. It is the best, most valuable work I could imagine doing and it is such a privilege working alongside the next generation of wonderful young people. If only it was the standard for all education?! We can have hope. Please keep spreading the message - keep sharing the joy of learning.

[DelusionDispeller]

Being that most of my life I've been very low income, this appeals to me a lot. I have an interview today for working in one of these schools and have worked in public schools over the years. I can't wait to see the difference in how the children learn and thrive at a Montessori School

[synthiaross]

Implementing Montessori in our household has been LIFE CHANGING. ❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[nancytee]

GOOD JOB! I own 2 Montessori Schools in Malaysia. We are doing our best to have more activities suitable for the children and have activities that train their senses and care for the environment. Recently, we designated Friday as a day for gardening!

[little]

I went to a Montessori preschool. It was great. There were a ton of activities on Trays, some were reading, some were math, some you could only do at free time. There was always a huge line for color mixing tray where you had eyedroppers and the primary colors and you could mix them

[JouelletteFrenchCoaching]

I love the concept and feel that, after working within different educational systems, and created my own methodology, Montessori is something everybody should be exposed to. This method helps us reconsider the relationships within our own family by better understanding the way the brain develops.Thank you!

[Thethreegrays]

I love Montessori! I am still just a teenager but I work at a Montessori school with 3-6 year olds. I have a few major learning disabilities and often call myself “stupid” but when I go to work my boss tells me that the kids can teach me! And have taught her a lot! Thank you for making this video! My goal is to just keep learning! The learning never stops!

[JazzCole]

I went to a Montessori school for the early years of my education and it's been the best thing my parents ever did for me. I've always been a fan of nontraditional education and sitting at a desk all day is so boring not to mention that I'm an old soul so a blended classroom setting really helped me.

[dezerayb]

My husband and I have seen the wonderful things montesorri education and positive parenting can do for many other families. We are trying to really get a good understanding of this philosophy so that we can implement it at home and are debating homeschooling through at least early education.
Thank you for this overview.

[ronaldanthony]

Though I myself didn't experience montessori school in my entire school life, I believe that this is the best school for my future kids from their pre-school to 12th grade

[isabellelangevin]

I'm a Montessori teacher since 2009. I find it's one of the best teachings out-there

[fathimanusiril]

I am proud to say that now I am a Diploma student of Montessori Teacher Training Course🥰💞