The benefits of Montessori education are many. It has been practiced for over two centuries and can be found in many schools and homes all over the world. This style of teaching is often credited as one of the first truly universal approaches to education. There are several key benefits of Montessori that you will enjoy. These include:
Promotes independence within the student
The first benefit of Montessori education, as a non-traditional teaching method, is that it promotes independence within the student. The teacher never controls a student; the student controls themselves. They work together to create a unique individual educational experience. This leads to an environment of active intellectual engagement. The students are allowed to learn through problem-solving, exploration, communication, cooperation, and responsibility. The teacher never pushes or demands a child to do anything other than they are comfortable with.
Focus on developing an organic learning process
The second benefit of Montessori education is the focus on developing an organic learning process. Children are not spoon-fed or “concentrated” upon but rather allowed to explore and discover through their own natural curiosity and enthusiasm. There is no one determining spoon-feeding for children in a Montessori classroom. Rather, they learn from what they are given and are encouraged to investigate and develop on their own. There is no “right” or “wrong” answers but more simply a difference in how the learning process is done. A true Montessori classroom is a collaborative effort between the teacher and the students.
The intrinsic value of each individual student
The third benefit of Montessori education is the intrinsic value of each individual student. In a traditional school, the teacher is usually older and has been in the classroom for a while. The students, on the other hand, have only been in the classroom for a few months. It is rare to find a student who will get an honest answer to a Montessori teacher’s question because of their fear of being judged. Instead, the student is an active participant who needs to ask the teacher questions and work together to find the best answer.
Strong sense of family within the classroom
The fourth benefit of Montessori education is the strong sense of family within the classroom. A true Montessori classroom is a unit of individuals who understand the importance of working as a team. As a group, the children become aware of their uniqueness and the fact that they are all part of the same body. They also become aware of their responsibility to one another as a unique and special unit. This leads to a strong sense of identity that is integral to Montessori education.
Involves independence
The fifth benefit of a Montessori education involves independence. When children learn independently, they are also able to learn without the intervention of their teachers or school administrators. This is a valuable skill that can help them to develop into fully functioning adults. For this reason, most Montessori schools require that each student be allowed to develop and work independently.
Involvement of its students in the daily classroom and curriculum
The sixth benefit of a Montessori school is the involvement of its students in the daily classroom and curriculum. In regular schools, the students are rarely involved in the curriculum or the daily activities. As a result, they are much less likely to be truly engaged in what they are learning.
Inclusion of children of different ages in its classrooms
Finally, the seventh benefit of Montessori education is the inclusion of children of different ages in its classrooms. As noted above, the primary focus of Montessori schooling is the early childhood years. However, it is not uncommon to find children of different ages in a Montessori classroom, such as nursery classrooms. This provides them with opportunities to experience and gain enjoyment from the learning process at different ages, thus engaging them in a way that is much more satisfying than that offered by regular classrooms.
