Montessori schools may seem trendy, but they’re much older and more well-tested than that. Montessori schools were initially established in the nineteenth century, and have shown a great deal of success since then. A recent study of 140 students began when those children were in preschool. The students at both Montessori schools and traditional schools began with the same achievement scores, but over the next three years, the 70 Montessori students achieved higher math and literacy scores. The effectiveness of Montessori schools is clear. Nonetheless, if you aren’t yet familiar with the best Montessori schools, you may not quite understand what students will learn within them. Let’s find out!
1. Traditional Academic Skills
Let’s get one thing out of the way — Montessori school students still learn traditional academic skills. There is nothing about an education at the best Montessori school that will prevent a student from excelling at math and reading; quite the opposite, in fact. Montessori schools simply have a different approach to reaching those points than traditional schools do.
2. How to Explore Individual Interests
Students at traditional schools are often forced to work with a specific curriculum, which may not always serve their interests and skills correctly. The best Montessori school will allow students to explore their own interests, while at the same time learning everything they need to. If a preschool-aged child is learning in a Montessori school and gravitates towards toys that have to do with science, for example, their teacher will encourage them, rather than redirecting them towards what the teacher thinks they should be focusing on. Children at Montessori schools grow up to be independent thinkers, able to follow their interests and learn on their own.
3. How to Appreciate Nature
One great thing about Montessori schools is that they often get the kids outside, appreciating nature while learning academically. Science classes at the best Montessori school will often take students outdoors, allowing them to examine plants, insects, and other animals safely.
4. How to Build Interpersonal Relationships
At Montessori schools, interpersonal relationship building is emphasized. Students are encouraged to get to know each other and learn about one another’s differences in a way that they often wouldn’t be in a traditional school setting.
The goal of a Montessori education is to build up a more confident, independent student. Why not consider it?
