The MontessoriFoundation© 2009

What is Montessori?Every one of us

has our ownpersonality, ourown sense ofwhat will giveour life mean-ing. Montessorichildren justtend to find whatwill make themhappy moreoften than most.

For more information about Montessori, visitwww.Montessori.org, read The Montessori Wayor How to Raise an Amazing Child, talk to theschool admissions director or head of school, orread the other brochures in this series.

Every child is different.

The Montessori Foundation19600 East State Road 64 • Bradenton, FL 34212

941-729-9565 • 800-655-5843 www.montessori.org

An Overview ofMontessori:

Birth – 18 Years

Montessori isa Big Topic

Montessori is many things:

� Montessori is a system ofeducation;

� Montessori is a philosophyof life;

� Montessori is 100+ years old; and

� Montessori is worldwide.Compliments of ...

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As you look at Montes-sori, you will see a profound respect forchildren as real humanbeings; a belief thatlearning is innate, in-born and natural; thatchildren are curiousand creative; and thatintelligence is anythingbut uncommon amonghuman beings!

Attempting to use artificial controls – grades,rewards or the threats ofhumiliation and punish-ment – may work withsome children but are unnecessary and often impede the child’s naturaldevelopment.

Instead, our whole focus is on respect and partner-ship – on creating environments in which childrenlearn naturally, learn in harmony with one another,and where they actually want to go to school.

The evidence of their success is in thehappiness of their lives and the con-tentment in their work rather thansimply what college they went to, whatgrades they made or what wealth theyaccumulated. They have the sensethat their lives have deep andprofound meaning.

� Birthing Centers� Early Childhood Centers� Homeschools� Family and Home Life� Schools� Colleges & Universities� Adult Care Facilities

Montessori can be applied in manysettings and with a wide range of ages.

Montessori is a philosophythat says, whether we’reworking with the unborn,the newborn, the youngchild, school-age child, theteenager, the college stu-dent, or someone sufferingfrom dementia or strokes,there is a way to focus theprogram around the realneeds – emotional, intellectual,neuromuscular – of humans without prejudice or bias.Dr. Maria Montessori said that

the real needs of children could be studied andidentified scientifically. And, while each child isa universe of one, there are patterns that wecan predict that are normal, such as when theybegin to walk and talk, when they become en-gaged in community service, or when they cancalculate the distance around the earth.

Montessori is very different from what most ofus experienced in schools as children. Becauseit is so different, many people become nervousand concerned that Montessori is too radical –too experimental.

Montessori children rarely lose the joy of learning!

Our goal is not to convince you but to help you understand more about Montessori, so that you can determine whether it is a good fit for you and your family.

Montessori is a developmentally based approach to education.

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