The demand for Montessori education is growing, but what is it and how could it benefit your child? Michel Capobianco, Head of School at the Maria Montessori School for 2–12-year-olds in London explains.
The Montessori approach was developed by an Italian doctor Maria Montessori who observed how children learn for themselves. Based on these observations, Dr. Montessori developed an educational approach and the corresponding materials to support children in their natural development. Children are innately interested in learning about the world around them. The Montessori method builds on this intuitive desire and nurtures academic skills and character development.
By providing an environment that supports natural development, a Montessori education enables children to develop the fundamental capacities that they need to become happy and fulfilled adults who contribute to society. Montessori children become confident, creative, responsible, hugely empathetic, and highly independent individuals. This is more relevant today than ever before.
It is possible to call a school Montessori even if it doesn’t have any Montessori trained teachers. How can you recognise if a Montessori setting is the “real deal”? The Maria Montessori School teachers all hold Association Montessori International (AMI) diplomas, which is the absolute gold standard for Montessori training. An AMI Montessori qualified teacher has a deep understanding of child development and has been trained to guide and inspire children to engage in productive and challenging experiences, providing a firm foundation for their future.
Here are some pointers on the key features of an authentic Montessori education:
An aesthetic and enticing environment
The classroom space is specifically designed for children at each stage of their development. Equipment and furniture are child-sized, and materials are easy-to-reach. The classroom is meticulously cared for, which encourages the children to take care of their environment too.
Mixed-age groups
Classes have mixed age ranges offering a wide range of activities to spark children’s interest. Younger children learn by watching older children, older ones benefit from the experience of helping younger children.
Child-led learning
Children choose their activities and return materials to the shelf after completing their work. The atmosphere is incredibly peaceful and children concentrate for surprising periods of time, working alone or with others. The children have the freedom to work at their own pace, without interruption, choosing from a range of activities that are developmentally challenging and appropriate.
A specially trained adult
A Montessori teacher is highly skilled at observing the capacities of each child and offers new challenges when they are ready. The teacher won’t interfere unless a difficulty arises, and they will give just enough help to get the child back on track.
Respect
An authentic Montessori environment encompasses respect across all levels – for each child as an individual personality with unique talents, and for others, the community, and the environment.
Children in Montessori follow their interests, wherever that passion leads, giving them strong academics, leadership, self-discipline, responsibility, independence, initiative, and a lifelong love of learning.
In the words of one of the parents at the Maria Montessori School: “One of the things we really like about Montessori is the knowledge that the teaching staff are really dedicated and that our child is learning from a philosophy that has been really carefully considered through observing children in detail and how they learn so, as parents, it gives you great confidence to know that your child is in a great environment in which to learn.”
The Maria Montessori School for 2-12-year-olds is located on five London sites: Bayswater, Notting Hill, Hornsey Rise, Abbey Road and Hampstead.
Curious to know more? Come and visit one of the school sites to observe the classroom environment and meet our staff. Children can start throughout the year. The Maria Montessori Institute also runs training courses for those interested in the approach along with short courses for parents and professionals. The Maria Montessori Institute is the UK’s only Association Montessori Internationale training centre.
For more details visit www.mariamontessori.org or call 020 7435 3646.
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