What is the Montessori Method? A Parent's Guide
If you're researching nurseries for your child, you've probably come across the word “Montessori” more than once. But what does it actually mean? And how is a Montessori nursery different from a traditional one?
This guide covers everything you need to know: the history behind the method, how it works in practice, and what to look for when choosing a Montessori nursery for your child.
The History
The Montessori method was developed by Dr Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator, in the early 1900s. After years of observing how children learn, she discovered that children learn best when they're free to explore, discover, and work at their own pace in a carefully prepared environment.
Her first “Casa dei Bambini” (Children's House) opened in Rome in 1907. Today, there are over 20,000 Montessori schools worldwide, serving children from birth through to adolescence.
How It Works
In a Montessori classroom, children choose their own activities from a range of carefully designed materials arranged on low, accessible shelves. The teacher's role is to observe and guide, not to stand at the front and direct. Children work at their own pace, often in mixed-age groups, which encourages peer learning and collaboration.
The curriculum covers five core areas: Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, and Culture. Each area builds on the others, creating a holistic educational experience that develops the whole child.
Why Parents Choose Montessori
Parents are drawn to Montessori because it develops more than academic skills. Children build independence, concentration, social awareness, and a genuine love of learning. These are the foundations that serve them throughout school and life.
At Buckingham Montessori in Edgware, we combine the Montessori method with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), giving children the best of both approaches. Your child gets the freedom and discovery of Montessori within a framework that ensures every developmental milestone is met.