Blog Layout

The Pros and Cons of Montessori Education

December 13, 2019

Share this Article:

A wooden tray filled with colorful wooden cylinders on a table.

Originated in 1906, the Montessori Method is both an educational method and lifestyle consistently growing in popularity. Today, most parents of young children have a vague idea of the Montessori approach – and when children come of schooling age, parents are faced with a decision.

Should you choose a traditional preschool program or a Montessori Method education? Which is best for your family? We want to help you decide! Below, we outline significant Montessori pros and cons.

Montessori Method Pros:

Children become self-motivated.

The Montessori Method is poised to create lifelong learners. With the freedom to choose from available tasks and activities, children in the Montessori Method will grow in confidence. Furthermore, Montessori students learn holistically, instilling a lasting curiosity of history, geography, science, and other topics of expressed interest.

 

Kourtney Santucci (MD Pediatric Hospital Medicine and Complex Care) emphasized this incredible drive towards self-motivation: “The aspect of Montessori education that I find most irreplaceable is the appreciation for order, for concentration, and for the natural beauty and intricacy of things around us. I think children really do WANT to focus, and to study and examine things, and Montessori feeds right into that tendency and away from distractions.”

 

Montessori education is individualized.

Montessori teachers evaluate each and every student individually, crafting a unique educational experience according to each child’s needs. Both quick and gradual learners will thrive as classrooms and activities are designed to benefit students where they are.

Social skills are developed.

Children in the Montessori classroom often have freedom to work individually or cooperatively. When interacting cooperatively, students are encouraged and guided to communicate politely, with mutual respect and grace. Social skills such as this are significant as children grow and build personal and professional relationships.

Hands-on learning is prioritized.

Hands-on learning is supported in the Montessori Method, replacing standardized tests, lectures, and purposeless memorization. Students are encouraged to develop a love for learning and discovery without incentives. Furthermore, homework – in the traditional sense – is a rarity in most classrooms. Students are asked to journal, work on completing projects, or learn something new through experience.

Montessori Method Cons:

Standard assessments aren’t given.

As standard testing and traditional grading are not implemented in the Montessori Method, parents are encouraged to track progress by identifying areas of difficulty and encouraging improvement in pinpointed areas.

Students have a lot of liberty.

While some children become extremely self-motivated, others struggle from a system of freedom. Different parenting styles may impact this. If a child is unsure what action to take without the explicit direction of an adult, the Montessori Method may prove challenging.

Mansio Montessori of Geneva

 

Mansio Montessori of Geneva is committed to the highest quality education for your child. With a safe, individualized, well-prepared environment, your child is free to explore a rich variety of language, math, culture, science, and geography. Our goal is to develop independent thinkers with problem-solving abilities.

 

Each of our learning and caring programs are designed for specific age groups, from 15 months to 6 years. Led by a team of two dedicated, experienced teachers, these classes are beautiful, inviting, and arranged with a purpose.

 

To learn more about our Montessori school, reach out directly at (630) 232-6750 or via our online contact form !

 

A child is playing with a cardboard hedgehog and a wooden abacus
October 30, 2024
Explore the Montessori approach to math with this guide, covering techniques, materials, and how it fosters independent, hands-on learning.
A little girl is sitting at a table with her hands painted in different colors.
October 1, 2024
Discover the benefits of hands-on learning for early childhood. Learn how interactive experiences foster creativity, problem-solving, and cognitive development in young children.
A room filled with lots of toys and a table and chair.
September 20, 2024
Learn the key parts of a Montessori classroom, including materials, structure, and teaching methods that foster independence, exploration, and hands-on learning.
A group of children are sitting on the floor listening to a teacher read a book.
September 19, 2024
Discover Montessori sensitive periods and how they influence learning. Learn to support children's development during these key stages.
A kid helping his mom with laundry, a popular montessori life activity.
August 15, 2024
Explore popular Montessori Practical Life activities that foster independence, coordination, and focus in children through hands-on learning.
preschooler sweeping up crumbs into a dustpan to help build practical life skills
July 26, 2024
Explore the unique approach of Montessori education in developing essential practical life skills, encouraging responsibility, and nurturing self-confidence in young learners.
preschooler counting using Montessori one-to-one correspondence
July 12, 2024
Discover effective strategies for teaching one-to-one correspondence to young learners. This essential math skill helps children understand the relationship between numbers and objects.
small girl holding a plant, showing benefits of preschoolers gardening
July 3, 2024
Uncover the joys and educational benefits of gardening with preschoolers, fostering growth, learning, and bonding through nature.
A boy and a girl are holding alphabet letters in front of their eyes.
April 8, 2024
Is your little one at the ideal age to kickstart preschool? If the answer is yes, then it's time to discover the perfect fit. This checklist will help!
A preschool teacher is sitting on the floor with two young boys learning and playing
March 14, 2024
Explore the key benefits of preschool versus staying home, and how early education supports your child's development.
More Posts
Share by: