What is an Authentic Montessori School?

When Dr. Maria Montessori opened her first “Casa dei Bambini” school in 1907, the results of her methods were so astounding that teachers from all over the world came to witness firsthand, her class and her revolutionary pedagogy.

Since then, many educators have used the name Montessori while ignoring some of Dr. Montessori’s most important discoveries about children and the most effective, rewarding way to teach them.

But what exactly is her method and how can one tell that a school is a true expression of her vision?

Your Child

Your child: At the center of any authentic Montessori school.

At the center of any authentic Montessori School is the individual child. Each child is embraced as a truly unique young being with a personality that must be, above all, deeply respected.

The child is not lumped into a group and instructed to complete lessons A, B and C, but is free to explore the lessons and materials that appeal to him/her. Through mastering the lessons that naturally appeal to the child, he/she then gains confidence to explore less familiar or challenging work that earlier, seemed daunting. Ultimately, the child is gaining confidence and independence which, for Dr. Montessori was the root of human dignity.

The Teacher

The teacher: The heart of the school.

A true Montessori teacher has received extensive training and “hands-on” experience through an accredited Montessori training center. She/he is the heart of the school and works from a deep understanding of every single child. Above all, she/he is a keen observer with the skills to assess each child's readiness for new challenges.

But the true measure of a great teacher lies in her/his ability to guide without imposing so that each child is free to develop a sense of confidence, independence and desire for greater learning.

For Dr. Maria Montessori, the greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, “The children are now working as if I did not exist”.

The Environment (classroom)

The classroom: Beautiful, clean & quiet.

The Montessori classroom is a beautiful, clean and quiet place where children are naturally drawn to work and co-operate in a constructive and peaceful manner.

Children are in multi-aged groups where they are free to explore, move, share or work independently.

There is no time limit to each lesson as children are free to work on a given task for as long as they wish.

The sense of community is emphasized by younger children learning from the older ones and the older ones learning the responsibilities of teaching, sharing and setting good examples.

The Materials

The materials: Precisely crafted.

Dr. Montessori worked hard to develop and perfect her teaching materials.

An authentic Montessori school uses AMI-recognized materials that are made of real wood and precisely crafted to please the child's senses in order to attract and encourage their exploration and curiosity.