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Parents who enroll their children in Montessori schools have long touted the benefits of the unique approach that Montessori brings to education. But what is it exactly about Montessori that is so valuable to young people? Why are so many parents so loyal to this program? There are a number of reasons that have all contributed to the popularity of Montessori schools. The idea of a caring community that surrounds the students is one of the core principles involved in a Montessori education. Instead of only being around students of the same age, children are in classrooms that generally span three years of ages. In being around kids of other ages, the classroom more accurately reflects a home environment where kids may have younger or older siblings. This setting can provide benefits for both the older and younger students. The older kids learn how to guide younger students, while the young kids are able to follow the lead of the older children. Relaxed Structure Rather than going through a day that has been carefully engineered for them, children enjoy more freedom when they attend a Montessori school. That freedom allows them to explore their natural curiosity while still being led in the right direction by the teachers. Those who support the Montessori education model feel that the child will gain a valuable sense of accomplishment and excitement from pursuing ideas that they have developed on their own, rather than being told specifically what work needs to be done. Individualism is Encouraged Children are not expected to all fit into the same mold at a Montessori school. This type of education appreciates the differences in each individual that attends the school, and those differences are celebrated and encouraged. The pace at which a child moves through the curriculum is set based on their progress, not on a predetermined calendar. That way, a child is only moving along in education when they are truly ready, and they aren’t missing out on important skills just because those skills took longer to develop than expected. Self-Assessment is Critical When students reach an appropriate age, they are encouraged to review their own work and correct their errors as necessary. Rather than simply turning in work to a teacher who will assign a grade, kids at a Montessori school are afforded the opportunity to self-evaluate and make improvements all on their own. Since this is more reflective of how the world works outside of school, many believe that the self-assessment method is a more productive model for producing students who can think critically and better themselves on an ongoing basis. Whether it be primary or elementary education, perhaps the single most important thing that a Montessori education can offer any student is the encouragement and opportunity to be an individual. Some parts of the traditional education system want to fit children into boxes where they can be defined and grouped. That is not the preferred method at a Montessori school. Instead, kids are accepted as individuals right from the start. The curriculum is designed to adapt to the needs of the students, rather than the other way around. Children who may have otherwise struggled in a traditional education setting may find that they are able to thrive when they attend a Montessori school. There are numerous advantages to the Montessori method of education, but it is up to the parents of any given child to decide if this approach to learning is going to be the best bet for their kid. Countless children have already gained a great education thanks to the Montessori way, and the program seems poised to continue on for many years to come. Ben Wayne writes about news and information from the child care industry for Meadows Montessori, a private daycare in Frederick, MD.
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