How is Montessori education different?
1. Montessori education is linked to better wellbeing
Research shows that those educated in a Montessori school report higher levels of wellbeing as adults. Recent studies have also linked growing youth mental health issues with young people’s experience of starting secondary school. In contrast the latest neuroscience is consistently revealing how children’s brains develop in a way that is supported by the Montessori approach.
2. Montessori schools can be happier places for staff too
Montessori schools are happy workplaces: teachers have the satisfaction of seeing the effectiveness of the Montessori approach as well as enjoying following children’s natural interests.
3. Montessori offers unparalleled support for literacy and numeracy
Montessori was ahead of the game in the use of phonics for the teaching of reading but in Montessori this is also combined with “whole reading” approaches such as comprehending individual words and their meaning in context and supporting enjoyment of reading; this combined approach is now being validated by research and policy leaders.
Numeracy is introduced in Montessori in a way that appeals to children’s way of learning, as the abstract is first represented in concrete form. We respond to their developing mathematical reasoning and natural desire to calculate, classify and make predictions.
4. Montessori offers “future-proof” education
65% of children starting primary school now will work in jobs that don’t exist yet. Tomorrow’s workforce will need to be more adaptable than ever before and work-life balance will only become more important. By encouraging critical thinking and confidence Montessori prepares children not only for the modern workplace but for life. We believe that education is about optimizing human capacity not simply acquiring knowledge and taking exams.
5. Montessori is not just about the classroom
Yes – Montessori starts from birth, indeed even before a baby is born! Parents prepare for their role and create a home environment that helps their child to become independent as they participate in household activities. Montessori remains relevant at every chapter of life – ground-breaking work with older people and those with dementia has shown it can improve quality of life at this stage too.
Source: https://www.mariamontessori.org/
