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We asked the International Montessori Council about benefits and features of Montessori education.
Q: What are the unique features of a Montessori school?
A: What a Montessori school attempts to do is not create a philosophy of education or standardized curriculum, but to follow the child. Schools are designed around what we know about the different developmental stages of children. Our teachers and schools look at each child as a unique individual—we call it child-honouring education. Montessori is not a one-child-fits-all approach but one that is suited to the personality and age level of each child, and allows him or her to learn at their own pace.
Q: What are the benefits of a Montessori school?
A: The content of what's in Montessori schools is equal, if not superior, to that found in most gifted private and public programs. We find significantly better academic performance, emotional maturity and social skills in Montessori kids. The kind of kid that comes out of this education is a professor's wildest dream. They are usually superstars. Some of the world's biggest corporations, including Google.com and Amazon.com, are run by our graduates.
Q: How do I know if a Montessori school is a good fit for my child?
A: Whether a child is wildly gifted or somewhat below average, and even for some children with special needs, it works. The issue is parents' philosophy; many today are very nervous about their child's academic performance and standardized tests. Our kids are not graded. It's about developing inner drive and motivation, and lots of character development, as opposed to offering external rewards such as grades, because the learning only works as long as students care.
- Tim Seldin
President of the Montessori Foundation and Chair of the International Montessori Council
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