Educational philosophies come and go. Some things that seem to be a magic bullet to fix things for all children don’t pan out, and there is always a new idea to try. That is one of the amazing things about human beings–we always have another idea, and we never truly quit. We will always find another angle and try, try again.

Why, then, has Montessori persisted as one of the most popular and sought after curricula for preschool (and some Elementary) education? It seems as though, looking at how public school cycle through strategies and curricula every few years, the Montessori “fad” should have died off long ago.

And yet we remain. What is the quintessential difference between Montessori and some of the fads and gimmicks that are flashes in the educational pan?

The Power of Science and Observation

At its core, Montessori is observation and science in action. Observation is the bedrock of all changes and action within a Montessori classroom. Guides observe their students in order to decide when to present work, whether a child has achieved mastery of a skill or work, and even when arranging furniture and the works on the shelves. Every action taken is based in observation and experience.

This allows for guides to make just-in-time decisions and interventions that support the development of each student. The long history of Montessori education provides us with an exceptional dataset to consider where and how we might expect students to progress, which allows for decision-making and intervention before a child has fallen behind his or her peers. Contrast this with a public school curriculum pilot–in this situation, there is no data about effectiveness at all. The curriculum may or may not have had an educator involved in its creation. It may be entirely the result of a company looking to profit from a contract to provide curriculum to an entire state.

Your child’s education should not be a product. Education is a personal journey, during which we construct our vision of ourselves, the world, and our place within it. An educational system must honor that journey or we risk alienating our children from the world and from themselves.

Most of all, Montessori remains an influential educational philosophy because it works. Children are able to learn within a supportive environment that encourages intellectual risk-taking, values hard work, and honors personal decisions. These are attributes that we would all like to see our children take on as they move forward into their lives.

A decisive and hard-working risk taker embodies the entrepreneurial spirit of the American Dream.

Implementation at Community Montessori

Dr. Montessori was a scientist at heart. Someone who believed that through observation and a carefully managed environment, children could learn to master themselves and would choose meaningful work when given the opportunity.

At Community Montessori we strive to embody those principles. We have a full suite of Montessori Materials, all of which allow children to choose the work that is most meaningful for them. This may be the training of the senses through Sensorial work; practicing the work of daily living through Practical Life; or perhaps engaging with hands-on Mathematical, Scientific, or Language materials.

The education available within our classrooms is well-rounded and encourages students to make their own decisions, giving them both the power and the responsibility to participate in the construction of their own education and understanding.

At Community Montessori all students are expected to make choices regarding their day and which works they will engage with. Guides may offer lessons or some suggestion, but ultimately the responsibility for the choices lies with the student. This is equally true in both our Pre-K and School-Age programs.

Ultimately, this is an expression of trust. One must trust that students will want to learn and grow. Also, one must trust in the prepared environment to encourage learning and exploration through thoughtful environmental design.

The Future of Students

It will not be too long before these children become adults who are expected to take full responsibility for everything in their lives. One week we expect them to ask permission to use the restroom, and the next we expect that they are able to make decisions that will impact the rest of their lives–where or if to go to college, signing leases or other contracts, getting married, buying property. There is no magic switch at high school graduation that makes a person a great decision maker. The only way to get better at something is to practice–and this includes decision-making and holding responsibility.

At Community Montessori, we believe in fostering a nurturing environment where students can actively engage in critical thinking, decision-making, and goal-setting. By integrating these foundational skills into our daily activities, we empower our students to become proactive individuals who approach challenges with confidence and determination. Our emphasis on self-directed learning enables each student to identify their aspirations, strategize a path forward, and take decisive steps to achieve their objectives. We are dedicated to instilling a strong sense of autonomy and resilience in our students, preparing them to thrive in an ever-evolving world.

Increasingly, businesses are finding it challenging to recruit and retain highly capable employees who possess a strong sense of initiative and independence, requiring minimal guidance in fulfilling their responsibilities. However, students who have received their education at Community Montessori have been exposed to an environment that emphasizes self-mastery from a young age. By consistently making independent decisions and actively pursuing their objectives, these individuals are equipped with valuable skills that set them apart from the average new hire. This early cultivation of self-discipline and goal-oriented behavior allows them to excel in the professional world.