Montessori education, a teaching method developed by Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator, approximately a century ago, has proved beneficial for young children in a variety of ways. The Montessori Method is based on a child’s independent learning, and in ensuring the whole education of the child, from traditional topics such as language and math, to more unique curricula, including practical life, in a non-competitive environment, where the child may direct his or her own learning. The teacher often acts as an observer to the child’s learning, so that they may introduce more complex stimuli to a child when the child masters a particular game, puzzle, or shows greater interest within a subject. Montessori schools do not traditionally separate children based on age, older children are encouraged to help younger children learn and explore, and all children learn to be responsible for their learning and development.
Early Advantages
Children who have been provided a Montessori education can benefit early on in comparison to their non-Montessori educated counterparts. A study done in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and published in the journal Science, showed that five year old children who attended Montessori schools scored higher on several tests, from word and letter identification to math, as tested on the Woodcock-Johnson Test Battery. The children also scored higher on social reasoning, executive function, and tested higher on adaptability than children who were not exposed to Montessori methods. Children educated using Montessori principles reported feeling a stronger sense of community within their school, and were also found to be more concerned with fairness and social justice.
In the same study, essays written by 12 year olds were evaluated, and children who had attended Montessori schools provided more clearly written essays with more depth than their non-Montessori counterparts.
Closing the Socioeconomic Education Gap
A socioeconomic gap traditionally exists within the education system, with children of lower income families performing more poorly on standardized tests than children of middle to higher income families. Although Montessori based schools located in the United States are normally privately funded, and therefore more available to middle and higher income brackets, there is some evidence that this type of education may help to close the socioeconomic education gap. In Milwaukee, where a charter program exists which allows children of all income brackets to attend Montessori schools, this gap is considerably smaller, as the Montessori educated low-income children pass standardized tests 20 percent more than similar children who attend public non-Montessori programs.
Sources
- Biello, David. "Students Prosper with Montessori Method: Scientific American." Science News, Articles and Information | Scientific American.
- "AAAS - AAAS News Release." AAAS - The World's Largest General Scientific Society.
- Kobert, Linda. "School of Thought - A&S Online." September A&S Online - A&S Online.
- "Research Shows Benefits of Montessori Education | Education | Education Guardian." Latest News, Comment and Reviews from the Guardian | Guardian.co.uk.
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