What is Montessori?

Montessori is an educational philosophy named for Dr. Maria Montessori, who was the first woman physician to graduate from the University of Rome.  Dr. Montessori’s core concepts are:

• Respect Yourself
• Respect Others
• Respect Your Environment

Maria Montessori has taught us to look at each child as a unique being alive with possibility and ready to grow spiritually, morally, and psychologically.  Children carry within themselves the key to their own development.

The primary role of the parent is to help the child to become mature, independent and responsible.  Dr. Montessori also found that no one can be free unless he is independent; therefore, a child must be guided through activity to arrive at indepedence.  Independence arises naturally within the individual when allowed to do for himself.  What is possible in a Montessori classroom is to prepare an environment which invites the child to work independently.  Children are allowed to choose work, help others, and move freely about the classroom, their self-concept growing accordingly.

For more information about Montessori and how you can help your child continue this philosophy at home, please ask your child’s teacher or consult the web at www.montessori.org/library.