Montessori FAQ
This page gives brief answers to a few frequently asked questions about Montessori. For more in-depth information, visit More About Montessori on this website (coming soon!), or follow some of the links to other Montessori sites in the Links section.
What is Montessori?
Montessori education is a comprehensive educational approach based on the insights and observations of Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician, educator, and children’s advocate. Montessori education has been developed and refined for over 100 years and is practiced with hundreds of thousands of children in thousands of schools all over the world.
Tell me more.
Maria Montessori observed that children are capable of long periods of engagement and concentration and that they have an innate drive to learn all they can about their world. She developed lessons, materials, and a method of education that allows children to make the most of these basic human characteristics that all children share, and helps them develop into independent, curious, competent, compassionate lifelong learners. For still more information, see An Overview of Montessori Philosophy and Methods, below (coming soon!).
Is Montessori religious? Or some kind of cult?
No. Some Montessori schools have a religious affiliation, but Montessori itself is not based on any particular religious belief. You will hear teachers talking about Maria Montessori a lot, but only because she had such great ideas. She was wrong about a few things, too.
Are Montessori schools accredited?
Some are and some aren’t, depending partly on local rules. In Oregon, private schools are lightly regulated and no accreditation is required. However, many schools are recognized by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), the organization founded by Maria Montessori to promote and further her work. Other Montessori organizations exist as well, of which the American Montessori Society (AMS) is the largest.
Isn’t Montessori just pre-school?
No. Montessori schools in Oregon and SW Washington serve children from 18 months through 8th grade, and there are several Montessori high schools around the world.
Is Montessori just for ‘smart’ kids? Or just for ‘special ed?’
No and no. Montessori’s observations and insights about children apply to all children in all cultures, and have been borne in countless experiments around the world. Everywhere Montessori is practiced, children of all cultures and abilities discover spontaneous concentration, engagement, and love of learning.
I’ve heard that Montessori is too rigid—kids have to do everything ‘a certain way.’
Not at all. The lessons are given in ‘a certain way,’ but children work with the materials and make their own discoveries at their own pace. In fact, independent, child-directed work is essential to Montessori education.
I’ve also heard that Montessori is too loose—kids can do whatever they want.
Again, not really. It’s true that children in Montessori schools choose their own work. Research has shown that student choice improves student focus and retention. But the choices are really well thought through. Children in Montessori classrooms consistently choose challenging work across the entire range of conventional academic subjects.
This sounds interesting. How can I find out more?
You can read more at our page on More About Montessori (coming soon!). But the best way to learn more is to visit a Montessori school and observe in a classroom. Most schools will be happy to have you sit in a classroom and watch Montessori in action. You’ll probably have more questions, which the school can answer. Click here to search for a school near you.
Special thanks to David Ayer for his assistance in compiling this information.