The Montessori Method

The Origins of Montessori

Maria Montessori was born in Ancona, Italy in 1870. During her early work with children with special needs, she developed learning materials to help them follow a normal academic programme and enter the state school system. Maria Montessori was so impressed with the results from these children that she was inspired to further her work.

She continued her work observing children and how they learn and developing learning materials. She opened her first Montessori school in 1907 starting the widespread adoption of the Montessori method of Education.

For more information about Montessori please visit the Montessori St Nicholas Centre at www.montessori.org.uk

What is Montessori

The essence of Montessori is that every child is  treated with care, patience and respect, encouraging them to become independent and confident learners.
Montessori classrooms provide a prepared environment where children are free to respond to their natural tendency to work, they self-access activities and material in response to their own interests.

The children’s innate passion for learning is encouraged by giving them opportunities to engage in spontaneous, purposeful activities with the guidance of a trained adult.

Through their work, the children develop concentration and self-discipline and progress at their own pace and rhythm, according to their individual capabilities.

‘Learning the correct answers will get a child through school, but learning how to learn
is a preparation for life’ – Maria Montessori