Key Aspects of Montessori Teaching

Montessori schools begin with a deep respect for children as unique individuals. They work from a deep concern for their social and emotional development

Montessori schools are warm and supportive communities of students, teachers, and parents. Children don't get lost in the crowd.

Montessori consciously teaches children to be kind and peaceful

Montessori classrooms are bright and exciting environments for learning

Montessori classes bring children together in multi-age groups, rather than classes comprised of just one grade level. Normally they span three age levels. Children stay with their teachers for three years. This allows teachers to develop close and long-term relationships with their pupils, allows them to know each child's learning style very well, and encourages a strong sense of community among the children. Every year, more non-Montessori schools adopt this effective strategy

Montessori classrooms are not run by the teachers alone. Students are taught to manage their own community and develop leadership skills and independence

Montessori assumes that children are born intelligent: they simply learn in different ways and progress at their own pace. The Montessori approach to education is consciously designed to recognize and address different learning styles, helping students to learn most effectively. Students progress as they master new skills, moving ahead as quickly as they are ready

Montessori students rarely rely on texts and workbooks. Why? Because many of the skills and concepts that children learn are abstract and texts simply don't bring them to life. Also, in the case of reading, many reading series fail to collect first-rate and compelling stories and essays; instead, Montessori relies upon hands-on concrete learning materials and the library, where older children are introduced to the best in literature and reference materials

Learning in not focused on rote drill and memorization. The goal is to develop students who really understand their schoolwork

Montessori students learn through hands-on experience, investigation, and research. They become actively engaged in their studies, rather than passively waiting to be taught

Montessori challenges and sets high expectations for all students, not only those considered 'gifted'

Students develop self-discipline and an internal sense of purpose and motivation. After graduation from Montessori, these values serve them well in high school, college and in their lives as adults. Montessori schools normally reflect highly diverse student body, and their curriculum promotes mutual respect and a global perspective

Students develop a love for the natural world. Natural science and outdoor education in an important element of our children's experience

Montessori students learn not to be afraid of making mistakes; they come to see their mistakes as natural steps in the learning process