The Montessori Approach

The Montessori approach is a child-centered educational method developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, based on the idea that children learn best when they are allowed to explore, experiment, and learn at their own pace in an environment that supports their natural curiosity.

It is a holistic approach to education which values all areas of the child’s development: physical, social, emotional and cognitive.

When deciding on the best learning environment for your child, it is important to understand how the Montessori approach differs from traditional schooling in terms of supporting the holistic development of children.

Self-Directed Learning vs. Teacher-Led Instruction:

Montessori: Children are encouraged to choose their own activities and work independently. Teachers (or "guides") observe and provide support when needed, guiding children through individual learning plans that follow their interests, whilst supporting them through all areas of development to ensure scholastic readiness.

Traditional: Teachers usually direct the learning, following a set curriculum. Students typically receive lessons in groups, with the teacher telling them what to do and when.

Mixed-Age Classrooms:

Montessori: Classes often include children of different ages (usually in 3-year age spans, like 3-6, 6-9, etc.). Older children help mentor younger ones, which fosters collaboration, leadership skills, and a sense of community.

Traditional: Students are typically grouped by age, with each grade level taught separately.

Hands-On Learning with Specialised Materials:

Montessori: Children use specific hands-on materials designed to teach concepts through tactile, real-world experiences. For example, they might use physical blocks to learn math concepts or maps to explore geography.

Traditional: Learning is often more abstract, with a greater reliance on textbooks, worksheets, and lectures. Students may not have as much opportunity for hands-on learning.

Focus on Individualised Learning:

Montessori: The pace of learning is individualised, meaning each child works on tasks that suit their current level of understanding, rather than being pushed to meet age-based expectations.

Traditional: There is often a more standardised approach where all children are expected to learn the same things at the same time, sometimes without regard to individual differences in ability or interests.

Emphasis on Developing the Whole Child:

Montessori: The curriculum focuses not only on academics but also on social, emotional, and physical development. It encourages independence, responsibility, self-discipline, and respect for others.

Traditional: While many schools aim for holistic development, the focus in traditional education is often more academic and less on fostering personal growth or emotional intelligence.

Freedom Within Structure:

Montessori: Children have freedom to explore the environment, but within a structured framework. This means they can choose their activities, but there are clear expectations for how to engage with materials and each other.

Traditional: The structure is often more rigid, with students following a timetable and set rules that apply to all activities. There’s usually less room for children to direct their own learning.

Longer Work Periods:

Montessori: Students often have longer blocks of uninterrupted time to work on activities. This allows them to become deeply engaged in what they’re doing without constant interruptions.

Traditional: School days are typically divided into shorter periods, with more transitions between subjects and activities, which can limit the depth of focus.

In essence, Montessori schools give children the freedom to learn at their own pace, based on their individual interests and abilities, within a structured environment. Montessori is a guided exploration of the world, where children have space to learn in ways that feel natural to them, whilst encouraging independence, critical thinking, and respect.