The Montessori method is an alternative, child-centric educational method. Montessori programs focus on the personal development of each individual child and encourage self-learning and discovery.

The Montessori method differs from conventional educational programs. While traditional education typically applies standardized teaching methods to groups of children, Montessori programs encourage each child to learn at their own pace through activities that interest them.

Research suggests several benefits and disadvantages of the Montessori method. However, more evidence is necessary for confirmation of these potential pros and cons.

This article looks at what Montessori education is, the key principles of the method, and its possible advantages and disadvantages.

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Maria Montessori developed the Montessori method over 100 years agoTrusted Source.

Montessori was one of the first women in Italy to qualify as a medical doctor. She specialized in psychiatry and pediatrics, and she developed the education method based on her work with young children.

Montessori argued that education should foster children’s development by allowing them to direct their own activities in a specially prepared environment.

The Montessori method has continued to develop, and now thousands of Montessori schools exist around the world. The schools primarilyTrusted Source educate children ages 3 to 6 years old and 6 to 12 years old.

The method focuses on the dynamic between the child, teacher, and environment:

  • Child: Children may freely choose what they work on within the limits of the class rules and can independently participate in the activities that interest them.
  • Teacher: Montessori teachers guide the children through the prepared classroom environment and help them choose their activities. The method does not involve competition between children, nor does it use external punishments or rewards.
  • Environment: Montessori classrooms typically contain objects that children can manipulate to learn about sensorial concepts, such as shape, color, and texture, as well as academic concepts, like geography, mathematics, and science. Children can engage with the materials hands-on, at their own pace.

The goalTrusted Source of the Montessori method is to optimally foster children’s intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development rather than solely academic achievements.

According to the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), the method’s key principles include developing the whole child, learning through discovery, and having engaging environments.

Developing the whole child

The Montessori method aims to develop children holistically and foster fundamental life skills through:

  • academics and knowledge-building
  • creative thinking
  • social and emotional learning

Learning through discovery

The Montessori method guides and supports children while encouraging them to explore and discover independently.

Montessori teachers aim to help each child reach their unique potential by freely engaging in their own learning experiences.

Engaging environments

Montessori learning environments typically include a variety of workspaces, specially designed learning materials for children to choose from, and accessible furniture.

The environments are designed to support children of mixed age groups and promote indoor and outdoor activities.

Some of the proposed benefits of Montessori learning include:

  • individual attention for every child
  • a less pressurized and competitive environment
  • a holistic approach to learning
  • the development of a variety of skills, which may help prepare children for the real world

There is a lack of peer-reviewed research on these or other benefits of the Montessori method. More scientific evidence is necessary to determine whether the method provides substantial benefits compared with traditional education methods.

Of the available older research, some studies suggest potential benefits of the method.

One older but robust study from 2006 compared academic, social, cognitive, and behavioral measures in children with Montessori and non-Montessori educations. The study included a group of 5-year-old children and a group of 12-year-old children.

The non-Montessori groups did not perform better than the Montessori groups in any measure.

However, the study found that the Montessori group of 5-year-old children performed significantly better than the non-Montessori group in:

  • academic skills, including mathematics, letter-word identification, and phonological decoding ability
  • social skills, such as positive shared play and social reasoning
  • executive function, such as card sorting tasks

In the 12-year-old group, the Montessori group performed significantly better than the non-Montessori group in:

  • story writing
  • social skills
  • sense of community

Another study from 2012 presented similar evidence.

Children in high fidelity Montessori schools, meaning the schools adhered to the Montessori principles, showed significantly greater gains than children from traditional schools in:

  • reading
  • mathematics
  • vocabulary
  • executive function
  • social problem-solving

Other older studies suggest the Montessori method may have other benefits, such as:

  • instilling greater intrinsic motivation in children
  • promoting greater creative ability
  • fostering improved fine motor skills and attention development

Possible disadvantages of the Montessori education method may include:

  • Lack of consistency: The type and quality of education on offer can vary widelyTrusted Source between schools. Not all schools that claim to be Montessori schools adhere to the Montessori principles, have accreditation by a professional organization, or employ trained Montessori teachers.
  • Cost: Montessori schools operate independently, and tuition fees can vary. Annual fees can range between $12,000 and $35,000.
  • Difficulty transitioning to traditional schooling: Montessori schools typically educate children ages 3 to 12 years. After that, children may find it difficult to adapt to more traditional education methods, which often involve more rigid structures, homework, tests, and less individual attention.

A person can find out more about Montessori schools, such as how to locate schools in their area, at:

  • The American Montessori Society (AMS): The AMS provides information, reading material, and financial aid for Montessori schools. The AMS website also has a find a school search function, which distinguishes between accredited and nonaccredited Montessori schools.
  • Association Montessori Internationale (AMI): The AMI is a global Montessori network. The organization provides Montessori resources, including research, AMI talks, and booklets. The AMI website also has links to affiliated societies and upcoming events in the United States.
  • The Montessori Foundation: The Montessori Foundation provides links to Montessori resources and organizations throughout the United States.

Some research suggests the Montessori method may benefit children with ADHD in some ways.

A 2024 study indicated that children with ADHD who attended Montessori schooling showed improvements in:

  • academic performance

  • classroom behavior

  • social interactions

  • overall improvement

However, it is important to note that the study relied on parent reports rather than objective measures, which may have influenced the results.

According to the AMS, children with neurodivergences, such as autism, often thrive in Montessori environments, which encourage acceptance and kindness.

The environment also allows for children to work at their own pace and does not encourage children to compare their progress with peers.

However, Montessori schools operate independently, and a person should discuss their child’s needs with the school of their choice to determine if it is the right fit.

The AMS claims that Montessori schools can be beneficial for children with dyslexia and other learning challenges.

Some Montessori schools may be able to provide additional resources for children who require them, such as speech and language therapy. However, a person should contact the school of their choice to find out what services they can provide.

The Montessori education method aims to balance academic learning, creative thinking, and social and emotional skill development. The method encourages children to learn at their own pace through exploration and independent decisionmaking.

Some studies suggest children may benefit from Montessori schooling in several areas, including academic ability, social skill development, and creative thinking. However, more robust, up-to-date research is necessary.

Possible disadvantages of Montessori schooling include variations in quality and adherence to Montessori principles between schools, high tuition costs, and difficulty transitioning to traditional learning methods.