You’ve probably heard of Montessori schools before, but you may not know exactly what is distinctive about this style of education as opposed to traditional schooling. When considering different kinds of schools for your child, it’s a smart idea to do your homework to find out exactly what kind of homework they will be doing during their education.
What is a Montessori school?
Montessori schools are founded on the belief that children should have independence, freedom within limits, and that their natural psychological, physical, and social development should be respected. Classes can have children of different ages all together, such as only one classroom for children between three and six years old. These schools are different from traditional schools because students learn through creative ventures instead of learning through instruction from a teacher.
Why is Montessori school popular?
A Montessori education appeals to parents who are looking for a place where their children can grow independently and develop their own strengths, rather than being required to follow a strict curriculum. Children in these schools have also been shown to have better concentration, self-motivation, and a greater passion for learning. If your child has a natural gift or talent, such as playing piano or painting, that you want to emphasize in their education, a Montessori school will give them the opportunity to hone in on that skill and strengthen it.
What’s the history behind it?
The idea behind these kinds of schools was derived by the Italian physician and educator, Maria Montessori, who began to develop her educational philosophy in 1897. Montessori believed that children develop their psychological selves through interactions with their environments, and that they should have the freedom to choose how they want to interact with those environments. Even though Montessori saw freedom of expression as highly important for children, she noted that there should be some limitations when it comes to classroom materials so the children will be encouraged to think creatively.
How is Montessori school different from public or private school?
The educational theory behind Montessori schools differs greatly from public or private schools in that it encourages development through individual ventures and creative problem-solving. Montessori believed there were different “planes” of human development (from birth to six years, from six to 12 years, etc), and she designed educational approaches specifically for each plane, instead of having the same type of instruction for each age level, like traditional public and private schools. Like private schools, most Montessori schools do cost money. Tuition can be as low as $1,000 a year or as high as $14,000 per year.
