The Montessori method, developed by Italian educator Maria Montessori, has stood the test of time. Despite criticism and shifts in educational fashion, Montessori schools and preschools now exist worldwide. In fact, in the US, noting “Montessori” in a school history can be seen as a plus on a resume.
What drew me in were several key ideas at the heart of the Montessori approach:
1. Respect for the Child
Many education philosophies speak of “respecting the child,” but Montessori truly puts this into practice. In this approach, both teachers and parents are observers—active and attentive, but ultimately observing. Each child is a unique individual, and our role is to support their unfolding development.
That’s why you’ll often see parents on the floor alongside their toddlers—there’s no teacher’s desk, no authoritarian tone. The core message of Montessori is: “Help me do it myself.”
Have you noticed how toddlers try to grab a fork, sweep the floor, or brush their own hair? My son loved these kinds of tasks. He’d load the washing machine. He would carry around the vacuum cleaner pipe. He also tried to feed me with a spoon. He learned all these through observation and hands-on experience. I let him explore, even when it made grandparents nervous.
2. Independence
Montessori is built on the idea that children need independence to develop. They’re not forced to follow someone else’s pace. They’re offered carefully prepared materials and invited to engage, but the choice is always theirs. Maria Montessori wrote: “My school prepares children for life, not for school.”
My son’s first word after “grandma” was “Mine!” Independence, it seems, comes naturally.
So what gets in the way of this principle? Fear and convenience. It’s quicker to clean up ourselves than let a toddler handle breakables. But by doing so, we deny children real experiences that build responsibility.
Montessori environments are child-sized: lightweight chairs, small tables, tools they can use safely. Children set up their own work areas in places that feel right to them. In Montessori groups, children are expected to participate—tying laces, pouring water, washing hands, sweeping, and even gardening.
Practical life skills are a core part of the Montessori day. And each child develops these skills at their own pace.
3. A Prepared Environment
In our group, around seventy children came through daily. Not once did a toddler swallow a bead or acorn—items we often ban at home. Why? Children who are trusted learn to treat materials with care. They take joy in placing a bead carefully on a tray. The adult’s job is to demonstrate—not scold.
There’s no rote learning or pushing abstract knowledge like Shakespeare or algebra. Everything starts from the child—their interest, readiness, and motivation to touch, explore, toss, sort, or tidy up.
I initially pictured Montessori as chaotic: wild kids running around, eating beads and hitting each other with toy screwdrivers. In reality, every room we visited—whether for infants or preschoolers—was calm and orderly.
Surprisingly, creating this sense of order was easy. Children crave structure. They thrive on consistency. Maria Montessori identified three key kinds of order children seek:
- Order in space: children want familiar surroundings—recognisable beds, regular places for toys, and routines that don’t shift constantly.
- Order in time: it’s not rigid schedules they need, but a dependable sequence of daily events—wake up, eat, play, clean, rest.
- Order in expectations: they need clarity. If a parent frequently says “just kidding” or fails to follow through, children learn not to take them seriously.
A Montessori educator once shared this story:
After a class, a boy started kicking off his shoes. The mother, flustered, warned him: “If you don’t stop right now, I’ll throw your shoes out the window!”
The teacher calmly asked, “Shall I open the window?”
The mother replied, “Oh no, I didn’t mean it…”
Children understand everything. They’re watching us to learn what we truly value—not just what we say.
The Role of the Senses
Many early learning philosophies involve sensory play. Today’s toy stores and websites are full of ideas—wooden blocks, first books, etc. But no one developed a more comprehensive set of sensory materials than Montessori.
When we first visited a Montessori classroom, I was amazed. There was a water table, a gym corner, math materials, and endless sensory trays. My child was in heaven—touching, pressing, climbing, exploring. I was fascinated, too.
Montessori educators built these spaces based on what children enjoy most. The materials help develop every sense—touch, sound, sight, even the concept of space. Before creating her method, Maria Montessori studied child development deeply. She identified “sensitive periods.” These are stages when children are especially open to learning certain skills.
For example, one-year-olds love to touch and throw; three-year-olds often start breaking words into syllables. While children can learn at any age, Montessori uses these windows of heightened sensitivity to support development.
Another key feature: mixed-age groups. Montessori classes are not split rigidly by age. Younger children learn from older ones. Older children reinforce their knowledge by helping the younger ones. This peer dynamic is central to Montessori and differs from the age-homogenous model used in many preschools.
Montessori in the 21st Century
What appealed to me most, as a parent, is how Montessori prepares children for the real world. Unlike rigid schools where I was once forced to eat food I hated (I still remember the cold beetroot soup), Montessori respects children’s preferences and encourages decision-making.
When a child spills something in a Montessori room, she grabs a broom and cleans up herself. That’s not wishful thinking—it’s everyday reality. Children in Montessori settings grow up confident, flexible, and able to work with others. Best of all, they don’t miss out on childhood. Learning is playful and engaging.
Freedom and Discipline
Montessori defines freedom as the ability to choose what’s best for yourself and others—not doing whatever you want. There’s a strong Kantian undertone here: freedom comes with responsibility. There’s only one of each material in the classroom. Even if it’s the most exciting activity, a child must wait their turn. This teaches patience, turn-taking, and community-mindedness [✔️ Confirmed].
Conflict resolution is handled gently. There are no punishments. Instead, educators model empathy—encouraging children to consider others’ feelings. Rules aren’t barked; they’re demonstrated.
Want to Explore Montessori?
Before enrolling your child, it helps to read up. I’d recommend The Absorbent Mind by Maria Montessori and the guide Help Me Do It Myself. You might also explore books like How to Help Your Child Build Themselves. Make sure to verify the exact author if referencing publicly.
What is your experience with Montessori?