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Is Montessori Education Right For My Child?
By Virginia Marin

"Is Montessori education right for my child?" The basic principle of the Montessori philosophy is that children will learn best in a learning and social environment that supports their development. Based on this premise, Montessori is appropriate for any child.

The Montessori Teacher
While the above philosophy may be erroneously applied to all education in general, it is helpful to understand the difference between a Montessori teacher and a regular teacher to delineate the differences in the two.

A Montessori teacher's role is one of observer and guide. Her goal is to be reduced, while the child increases or develops. It is the business of this teacher to establish an atmosphere of order, calmness, and happiness in the classroom as she encourages the children in their efforts. This is the Montessori way of promoting self-confidence and discipline. Having said this, the teacher's role does vary according to the students' age levels. The teacher is more active and into engagement with the younger children than with the older ones. Older students work more on what is known to outside teachers as individualized study. Older students have learned from their early years how to apply critical thinking, evaluation, application, analysis, and synthesis skills to their learning.

The Montessori Children
It is exciting to see young children six, seven, and eight years of age engaged in research-style learning, or working in small groups on different projects which cause them to ask questions such as:

Do you agree with. . .?
What do you think about. . .?
What is the most important. . .?
What solutions would you suggest. . .?
How does. . .compare (or contrast) with. . .?

Questions such as these are often heard in the course of a day, because Montessori teachers lead children toward activities which help them to develop reasoning and life skills. Is this not a parent's dream?!

Someone is saying, yes, I understand this, but just what are they taught book-wise? Elementary studies include, for example, biology, history, language (French or Spanish), geography, all areas of mathematics (including fractals), and science. Music, art, storytelling, movement and drama are also part of every Montessori program.

Do they have field trips? Absolutely, but not to places that may be a waste of your child's time. Montessori plans visits to exciting places like a planetarium, botanical gardens, library, and exploratorium centers, and other sites of human, scientific, spiritual, and governmental interest.

Montessori children are adaptable to different situations. They are able to work independently and in groups. They are decision makers and problem solvers with well-developed communication skills necessary in this complex world.