When Americans think of early education we often view it through the lens of our public school system. There are other philosophies of education, along with their preferred methods of instruction, of course. One of the most prominent alternative teaching methods is the Montessori method. At its core, this educational approach distinguishes itself by focusing on the needs and abilities of the child or student rather than on strict adherence to standardized testing, rules, and the authority of the teacher.
With the Montessori Method, children guide their studies at their own pace. Being assessed isn’t about grades and on-paper performance. The goal is for students to progress naturally in classrooms that are often mixed-age, unlike the standard grade-age division in the US, with educators in the Montessori classroom facilitating the process. In a sense, the role of the “teacher” is more to guide than to instruct.
History
Montessori schools are centered around the Montessori method created by Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian scientist and educator. The first school, the Casa dei Bambini (Italian for Children’s House), opened in Rome in 1907.
In her work, Dr. Montessori noticed the ways the traditional educational method wasn’t adequately meeting the needs of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Having a background in psychiatry and educational theory, she eventually took up classroom teaching herself. Through a scientific approach, she learned that children could essentially teach themselves with puzzles and other hands-on activities and materials. The only thing left to do at that point was to modify the educator’s role to promote this freeform method of learning. Ultimately, Dr. Montessori used her realization to create the Montessori instructional method to serve the needs of all children enrolled in Montessori schools.
Day-by-Day Differences
The traditional U.S. grade school day typically starts with students meeting in their homeroom. Once the school day begins, students move to different classrooms to learn different subjects – math, reading/writing, etc. While hands-on student-led learning activities aren’t unheard of, the crux of the daily experience is to closely follow the teacher and the curriculum.
For example, in the reading period, students are given a specific prompt or activity to as instructed, utilizing the skills they’ve been working on, with assistance when needed. Where this can fall short is in the assumption that each of the students is performing at more or less the same level, without the need for additional help or more challenging work for a substantial number of students.
This is where the Montessori method makes a stark contrast with students spending several hours working on activities they’re interested in, rather than basically being told what to do and when to do it. Importantly, the teacher gives attention to every student and treats their developmental and educational journey as a unique experience. This is something that can’t be done in a traditional school where the priority is to follow a heavily guided set of standards.
Benefits of Montessori
One key proponent of Montessori is the absence of standardized testing and grades. This not only removes pressure and stress from children to perform but also reduces peer competition. While healthy competition, such as sports, has value, the Montessori method ensures the educational journey is focused on the self. The mixed-age grouping also means that slightly older kids can help younger ones, fostering a sense of connection.
Moreover, in a traditional classroom setting, you have all of the students following a standardized curriculum. Over time, a few of the students might fall behind. While this will eventually show up in grade performance, the specific causes are less apparent. With Montessori, each student is already used to regular one-on-one attention from the teacher. As a result, the teacher is more likely to pick up on individual concerns sooner rather than later.
Modified Montessori
The modified Montessori method is the answer for educators who want to incorporate aspects of Montessori without losing the value provided by more traditional methods. For example, you could end up with a curriculum that offers plenty of hands-on learning whilst retaining standardized testing to meet state standards. The teacher might act as an authority figure though with less emphasis on rules. Or, you might see classrooms where the students are still grouped by age. The modified method might also include imaginative, or pretend play, an activity that the regular method foregoes, as Dr. Montessori heavily prioritized reality over fantasy. Ultimately, the modified Montessori method is about taking the best of both worlds, instead of thinking of them as diametrically opposed.
Does Montessori Work?
It’s a difficult question to answer, as the nature of Montessori classrooms makes for a complicated experiment. An effective empirical study would have to account for numerous confounding variables, like differing socioeconomic statuses and how engaged the parents are. It ends up being more complex than simply comparing two classrooms. Moreover, the ascribed benefits of Montessori involve a timely process, meaning the study would require a long investment of time to observe the performance in students as they grow.
However, one study implemented a random selection to help address external factors, and found that children who attended the Montessori school on average had better “literacy, numeracy, executive function and social skills.” While promising, the study involved a small sample size overall. Other studies have indicated that creativity and independence are clear associations with the method.
The Montessori name carries tremendous weight today, making it hard to discount the method – even though its support may come largely from anecdotal evidence. We’ll have to see what further research can tell us.