What is Montessori?
Montessori is an approach to education that is focused on realising each person's human potential.
Montessori responds to every individual’s unique interests, needs and abilities, supporting their natural development academically, emotionally and socially. The Montessori approach was developed by Maria Montessori in the 1900's but is more relevant today than ever before. In a rapidly changing world, Montessori nurtures children and adults to be adaptable, resilient, creative and community-minded. We believe Montessori has the power to change the world, one child at a time.
Key Aspects of Montessori Education:
Child-led Learning
Children actively choose their learning paths based on what sparks their curiosity. Learning is structured but teachers act as supportive guides rather than instructional teachers.
Holistic Development
The Montessori approach supports every aspect of the child's development - academic, physical, social and emotional.
Prepared Environment
Classrooms are aesthetically pleasing and designed to invite exploration and independence. Materials encourage skill and capacity-building as a pre-requisite to learning.
Mixed-Age Groups
Children learn alongside children of different ages, which encourages collaboration and social responsibility. They learn from older children and also from helping younger ones.
Learning by Doing
Montessori materials support active, hands-on learning, emphasizing real-world skills. Children engage deeply through interactive experiences that build understanding and retention
Respect for Individual Growth
Tailored learning fosters not only academic growth but also emotional and moral development.
Watch Some Examples of Montessori in Action
Benefits of Montessori Education
Montessori Education and Child Development
Every child is guided to realise their full potential academically, emotionally, ethically and socially. A Montessori-educated child embarks on a lifelong journey of curiosity and learning.
Montessori is more than an education—it’s a way of nurturing each child to grow into a capable, self-assured individual ready to contribute meaningfully to society.
“Since we have the means to guide the child, it is clear that the formation of man is in our hands. We have the possibility to form the citizen of the world and the study of the young child is fundamental to the peace and progress of humanity. ”Maria Montessori
Even though Montessori is known as a popular option for small children, the Montessori approach has been developed for every stage of life, from birth to adolescence and into old age.
The many benefits of Montessori are felt by the children or adults supported by the approach, but also by teachers, parents, carers and other professionals who can see the true impact on human potential.
Those who train in Montessori describe it as a “life-changing experience”. Teachers, parents and other professionals realise that the approach just makes sense – because it supports the natural development of humans.
Montessori Outside of the Classroom
Montessori is also a force for change outside of the classroom and in communities facing challenges. The Montessori approach can be adopted by parents and other caregivers where a focus on nurturing independence and individual potential results in confident children or adults who can contribute to their home environments and their communities. Montessori for Dementia, Disability and Ageing is transforming outcomes for adults living at home or in residential communities. Our Outreach programmes have supported communities including economically disadvantaged parents, mothers in prison with infants and children in displaced persons’ camps in Kenya.
How was the Montessori Approach Developed?
Dr. Maria Montessori trained as medical doctor in Italy in the early 1900s. Tasked with educating children in a Rome asylum, she set aside the typical educational approach of the day instead consulting pioneering educational theorists and observing the children’s natural development and existing abilities. Taking the educational writers thinking on board, she worked in a scientific way with the children in her care, observing how they responded to different resources and activities and experimenting with different ways to support their development. She was astounded by the progress the children made and the hidden potential present in every child.
What is AMI Montessori?
The rigorous and authentic method Maria Montessori developed is championed by AMI (the Association Montessori Internationale). The Maria Montessori Institute is the UK’s only AMI training centre and our exemplar school employs teachers who have completed the high-level AMI training which is respected around the world. We were established by Maria’s son Mario with the aim of preserving the integrity of her approach which had proven so effective.
“Here then is the essential principle of education: to teach details is to bring confusion; to establish the relationship between things is to bring knowledge.”Maria Montessori
Give your child the chance to reach their true potential through authentic Montessori Education and/or study Montessori yourself!
Loved by many
“I truly loved training with the Maria Montessori Institute and would recommend it to anyone that is serious about Montessori. The Diploma course was everything! Fun, exciting, challenging, liberating – it was the journey of a lifetime in a nutshell.”AMI 3-6 Diploma Graduate
“I cannot praise this school highly enough. If you want a 360 approach to education, a great community, authentic Montessori and passionate and competent teachers, there is no better place.”Maria Montessori School Parent
“The knowledge of the trainers and the trainers in training was precious. Every single lecture was simply amazing and totally interesting. We laughed, we smiled and we cried. There was so much emotion. It was totally fulfilling! And I have learnt so much about myself too!”AMI 0-3 Diploma Graduate
“I feel that both of my children are thriving at the school. The school has given them a love of learning, a sense of community, and confidence in themselves.”Maria Montessori School Parent
“Studying with the Maria Montessori Institute exceeded all my expectations. Not only are you immersed in an academic environment which is as enriching as it is demanding, but you are learning from professionals who are as passionate as they are knowledgeable. I remain deeply appreciative for the generous spirit of the lecturers; I have never before experienced such enthusiastic dedication to education.”AMI 3-6 Diploma Graduate
“I've always been a fan of Montessori education, and I can see in my child's way of thinking and being (specially when alongside those who do not have Montessori education) that she's articulate with her feelings and sees solutions in unique ways too.”Maria Montessori School Parent
