Montessori

The Montessori (pronounced Mon-tuh-SORE-ee) method of education was founded in 1907 by Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator. Montessori aims to foster intelligence and independence in children from birth to adolescence through interaction with the learning environment. The Montessori environment contains specially designed, easily manipulated materials that invite children to engage in learning activities of their own individual choice. Under the guidance of a trained teacher, children in Montessori classrooms learn by making discoveries through interactions with the materials. Montessori schools are found world-wide, including more than 4,000 private Montessori schools and 200 public schools with Montessori style programs in the United States (U.S.).

The learning environment and role of the teacher in the Montessori classroom differentiates between traditional classroom experiences and experiences of children enrolled in Montessori schools. First, Montessori