Montessori Education

Montessori education is a formal learning approach developed in 1907 by educator and physician Dr. Maria Montessori. Montessori opened her first classroom in 1907, the Casa dei Bambini, or Children’s House, paving the way for the introduction of a method of education that concentrates on individual progress and development of each student. Montessori believed that children could learn better if they discover knowledge by themselves rather than direct instructions. But is this unconventional type of schooling better than traditional education?

In 2006, psychologists in the United States co-led by Angeline Lillard of University of Virginia conducted a study aimed at finding out whether Montessori education is better than the traditional way of schooling. For the study, researchers compared pupils aged three to 12 at a Montessori school in Milwaukee with students of the same age bracket studying at traditional schools in the same location. Researchers tested the children for mental performance, academic abilities, and social and behavioural skills. What did they found out?

According to Lillard, the study found out significant advantages for the Montessori students in these tests for both age groups. Lillard noted remarkable positive social effects of Montessori education on the children. Researchers observed that five-year-old Montessori pupils were better prepared for reading and maths than their counterparts, while 12-year-old Montessori students wrote "significantly more creative" essays than their traditional opposites. Researchers also observed big differences in social skills and behaviour.

In short, researchers found that on a certain range of abilities, children studying at Montessori schools essentially outperformed their traditional counterparts. Researchers also found out that Montessori schools produce more mature and socially adept children than traditional education institutions.

With these observations and findings, the researchers concluded that Montessori schooling nurtures academic and social skills that are equal or superior to those nurtured by traditional education.

The term “education” is derived from Latin word “educatio” which could mean “a bringing up” or “a breeding.” The modern-day meaning of the word education could seem well relate to its origin. The simplest meaning of education nowadays is that is it the process of imparting knowledge, skills and values from one person to another. If connected to the origin of the term, education could mean the process of breeding or bringing up an individual into a person that he ought to be.

There are currently two educational stages -- compulsory and non-compulsory education. Compulsory education is a period of formal learning wherein young individuals are required to undergo. In the United Kingdom, this period usually starts from age four and a half and ends at age 16. However, UK’s Education and Skills Act of 2008 raised the compulsory education age to 17 effective in 2013, and 18 effective in 2015. Traditional and Montessori education both belong to this stage.

The non-compulsory education, meanwhile, refers to a period of formal learning not necessarily required. Individuals are given the choice whether to proceed to this education stage. After finishing formal traditional and Montessori education, a person could proceed to study a vocational course or choose to pursue an undergraduate degree. Vocational courses offer students to learn and specialize in a certain practical skill, without much concern with theories. In contrast, college courses offer students to concentrate on a certain field of knowledge, and embroil them with theories.

The process of imparting knowledge and skills is not an easy one. Approaches differ, from traditional to Montessori education. It takes time, effort and resources before the academe could mould students into persons they ought to be. Education, however, has always been successful in bringing up individuals who could contribute to the society development.

        The Montessori education method is a particular educational approach or philosophy of education that emphasize on the independence, freedom within limits, and respect for the child's natural psychological development and technological advancements within society in general. The Montessori educational approach was developed by Italian educator and physician Maria Montessori. The Montessori educational approach and its practices are applicable for the age levels of: zero to three years old covering infant and toddler, and preschool and kindergarten; six to 12 years old covering the primary or elementary school age children; and 12 to 18 years old covering the middle and proper secondary school levels.

        However, the Montessori education is commonly used for the educational levels of preschool, kindergarten, and primary school levels. If you are a parent who is considering in getting the Montessori educational approach as the primary method for educating your child, and planning to enroll him in a Montessori school, you should first read and study about the advantages or benefits of the method. Information and materials about the Montessori educational approach is available in the local library, in various Internet websites that provide free information about the Montessori method, and in the printed materials distributed by the various non-profit organisations that are dedicated to promoting the Montessori approach.

        Reading and studying about the benefits of the Montessori education would help you in making an informed and wise choice of determining and deciding if the Montessori method is the best approach for educating your child. The main benefits of the Montessori approach includes letting children on learning on their own because a Montessori classroom is equipped with self-correcting materials that would help a child to learn through the trial and error, which would result in the child in learning to make correct decisions. Moreover, the Montessori classroom has an environment that provides a natural sense of discipline for the child.

• classrooms where students from different ages converge
• a special set of educational materials
• students can choose their own work given in long time blocks
• student mentors that foster a collaborative environment
• no grading and testing system
• instruction of individuals and small groups alike
• instruction of both academic and social skills

• Montessori students are significantly better prepared for elementary school by having more knowledge in reading and maths than their non-Montessori counterparts.
• Montessori educated children also performed better on social and behavioral tests, in particular demonstrating a better sense of justice and fairness.
• Outside of the classroom Montessori children were also more likely to engage in emotionally positive play with other kids and have a lesser tendency to engage in rough play.
• Montessori education also tends to increase the children's executive function, or their ability to adapt to changing and more complex problems.

• A bachelor's degree in education majoring in primary or high school education, English, mathematics, science, and communication arts. Then, you should select the age group of the children that you want to teach. The age groups of the students are: infant to toddler class (from zero to two years old); primary class (from three to six years old); lower elementary class (ages six to nine years old); upper elementary class (nine to 12 years old); and secondary level class (from 12 to 15 years old and 15 to 18 years old).

• Obtaining training and certification to become a certified Montessori education teacher is the most important part. Just like what I did, I searched the Internet for training centers or professional organizations that offered accredited teacher training programs. It is important that you select a program that is accredited by a recognized accreditation body or organization to ensure that the certification and training you obtained would be recognized by educational institutions. In the United States, the three leading accreditation bodies are the American Montessori Society, the Association Montessori Internationale, and the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teach Education Commission.

• Availing of distance learning training programs offered by various training centers if you are currently working as a non-Montessori teacher and your work schedule would not allow you to attend formal classes. Just make sure that their programs are accredited by any of the three accreditation bodies.