Montessori's educational principles are based around the following central ideas:

All children want to learn...

With freedom to investigate the world around them, they will become active, engaged learners.

Children have absorbent minds...

In order to learn, the child must be able to concentrate. This concentration develops as the child fixed their attention on a task they are performing with their hands.

Everything that occurs in their life has a profound effect...

The quality of a child's early experiences are of fundamental importance to their self-construction.

Children pass through sensitive periods in their development...

The Montessori approach aims to allow each child to experience the joy of learning in a nurturing, non-competitive and cooperative environment in which intellectual and social development are linked. It focuses on helping children reach their full potential in all areas of life, encourages growth at their own pace and development of their unique personality. The children work individually or in small groups building knowledge and skills in the specially prepared learning environment of the Montessori classroom.

"The education of children does not aim at preparing them for school, but for life."  Dr Maria Montessori.

The Montessori Classroom

Walk into a Montessori classroom anywhere in the world, and you will invariably see happy and busy children engaged in purposeful work. The classroom itself is distinct; typically beautiful and enticing, but also characterised by the carefully prepared environment designed to reinforce the child's independence and natural urge toward self-development.
The room, the equipment, activities and the teachers respond to and guide children in ways which directly relate to their own developmental levels, they do not simply follow a curriculum. In essence the classroom provides an environment in which children can develop individually appropriate to their age; each child respected and enabled to grow and learn at their own pace. Montessori classrooms feature calm, caring communities of children in three year age groupings. Classes span 0-3 years of age, 3-6 years of age, 6-9 years of age and 9-12 years of age*.
The elements of Montessori classes are simple and effective, nurturing and orderly. They are all linked together, none separated from the other. Montessori is holistic in its approach to children and to learning.
*Note that not all schools cater to all of these three ranges.

Intellectual Materials

The Montessori materials are beautifully handcrafted and are displayed on low, open shelves. These unique materials are tools to stimulate the child into logical thought and discovery. Each piece of material has a specific purpose and is presented in a manner that will enable them to direct their own learning. Each piece presents one concept or idea at a time and has what is known as a 'control of error'. If the child has done something incorrectly, it will be self-evident. The geometric shape, for example, won't fit the hole; or the last label will not match the last picture. In this way, children learn to work with increasing independence, taking control and responsibility for their own learning.

"An interesting piece of work, freely chosen, which has the virtue of inducing concentration rather than fatigue, adds to the child's energies and mental capacities (leading to) self-mastery." Dr. Maria Montessori.

Structure and Freedom

The classroom is ordered and well planned. The curriculum and teaching materials are carefully selected and presented to each child. When children choose material they are then free to work with that piece for as long as it offers a challenge. This provides a structure for their learning. There should be physical, intellectual and social freedom. Everything is child-sized and all the activities are within reach to allow free choice.

Social Interaction

The Montessori classroom is not only a place for individual learning. It is a vibrant community of children, where the child learns to interact socially in a variety of ways. The three year age range in every class enables older children to teach the younger ones, learning much themselves from this experience while the younger children are inspired to more complex work by observing the older children. With such a variety of levels in the classroom, each child can work at his or her own pace, unhindered by competition and encouraged by cooperation.

The Director/Directress

In a Montessori classroom, the place of the traditional teacher is held by a fully trained Montessori director/directress also known as a guide. Typically, a Montessori guide will hold a traditional teaching qualification as well as an additional one year full time Montessori teaching diploma. As a facilitator, the task of the guide is to support the child in his or her process of self-development. The guide is foremost an observer, unobtrusively yet carefully monitoring each child's development, recognising and interpreting each child's needs at every stage of development.
The guide provides a link between the child and the prepared environment, introducing the child to each piece of equipment when he or she is ready in a precise, clear and enticing way. On a broader level, the guide provides a link between the classroom and the parent, meeting with each child's parents to discuss progress. He/she needs to be an example; calm, consistent, courteous and caring. The most important attribute of a guide is the love and respect held for each child's total being.

The Montessori Classroom Compared to the Traditional Classroom

Yes, it's quite different to most  traditional styles of education that most of us have received - and this is very evident as soon as you step into a Montessori classroom...

~ independent learning
~ mixed age grouping in all classes
~ individual lessons with each child
~ children may choose work independently
~ the role of the director is to observe and 'follow the child'
~ respects children and their natural ability and desire to learn
~ materials provide concrete experiences with a gradual move into the abstract
~ provides for the child's intellectual, social, physical and emotional development
~ materials are designed with in-built error control with little need for adult intervention
~ the environment is specially prepared for the child to function independently of an adult
~ five fundamental areas of learning i.e. practical life, sensorial life, language, mathematics and culture
~ develops your child's self-discipline, self-esteem and respect for themselves, others and their environment

Transition to 'Traditional' Schools

Whilst some children only attend Montessori preschool, many families choose Montessori primary school as well as Montessori secondary programmes.  When children transfer to other schools, experience & research shows that Montessori children cope very well in other schools. They make the transition well, both emotionally and academically. This is not a random outcome but something for which they have been well prepared. The Montessori approach aims to encourage children to be independent, responsible, well-organised, inquisitive, self-motivated and adaptable. These qualities play an important part in successful transition.