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How Montessori Education Nurtures A Child’s Lifelong Success

I remember one time when I was 7 or so, this lady asked me in the checkout lane at our local grocery store what grade I was in. I was puzzled, not knowing how to answer this question. My mom grinned and answered, "She's in the 2nd.” I still remember the shock on the lady’s face that I had no idea what grade I was in.

The truth is- I wasn’t. I went to school, but the school I went to was different. Kids weren’t ranked by age; they were sorted by their capabilities. Most of my life has been in alternative education and it’s been my formative piece. At the age of two, I started Montessori.

It was a small schoolhouse. There were around ten kids every year in the 6 years I was enrolled, my older brother being one of them. I remember a surprising amount from Montessori, all good memories. It makes me want to go back. My journey continues much further but the one thing that has stuck with me is the importance of Montessori education and I want to share that with the world.

When I had to leave my Montessori school, due to its owner’s retirement, I was sad, but I also don’t remember it much. I wasn’t expecting there to be that much change. Until school started again that August, but I had been moved to public school.

You’ve most likely picked up that I am not a huge fan of public school, but it also wasn’t hard for me to fit in soon enough. I made friends, was attentive in class, and had good grades. But I do remember always feeling bored. This happened for several reasons

1. I wasn’t used to sitting at a desk all day.

2. I already knew a lot of the topics we were covering.

3. I couldn’t speak or go to the bathroom without a mark down on my behavior board.

4. Many of my classmates were not fun to be around and would act up for their entertainment.

I often would cry doing my math homework after school with my parents, as I know many of my peers did. I was excited about snow days off of school because that meant a day less of work. Something was wrong- school wasn’t fun and I didn’t have any independence. 

My parents knew this- but they didn’t have any other options, both having a full-time job running a business, and there was no way to homeschool. The closest Montessori school, the Academy of Thought and Industry, was in St. Louis… we toured it but it was too far of a commute each day. Until it wasn’t.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we were all moved to an online world.  I continued in public school, online, which, like many others, turned out to be a disaster. Then I discovered the Academy of Thought and Industry had launched its own online program. Intrigued by the prospect of a better educational experience, I decided to switch.

Despite concerns about socialization and missing my old friends, it was an easy choice to keep enrolled with the new schooling option, even as my local public school reopened. Over time, it became evident that I had made the right choice. Later transitioning to The Socratic Experience, a similar educational model, only reinforced this belief.

Listening to my local friends' complaints about their ongoing struggles with public school, I can’t help but feel grateful for my educational journey.  I know that every day I get to use my honest voice in the classroom and gain more independence. 

“Development takes the form of a drive toward an ever-greater independence. It is like an arrow released from the bow, which flies straight, swift and sure. The child’s conquest of independence begins with his first introduction to life. While he is developing, he perfects himself and overcomes every obstacle that he finds in his path.” —Maria Montessori

Immediately upon entering a Montessori Classroom, you know something is different; It looks similar to a workplace! There is no “front” of the classroom; the layout is designed to promote independence. Throughout the environment, you see an array of materials placed on children-accessible shelving and workplaces for independent work and group activities.

Public Domain Image, Montessori Classroom

 You will notice that each child is working on something purposeful to them. Maria (the founder of Montessori education) sought to not force the students to do non-engaging and “one size fits all” work. She fostered curiosity in her classroom, initiating challenges and consequently creating agency.  Montessori proved that nurturing independence gives us the lifelong ability of self-sufficiency and enables children to be their own leaders.

Often you won't see the guide when you first walk into the room- In a Montessori setting, we refer to the adult in the classroom as a “guide”, instead of a teacher, because it reflects the role more properly. It's a true form of spontaneous order, much like you would see in a post-education working environment. Since there is no predetermined path, individuals educated in the Montessori method are adept at navigating any environment where adaptability and creative problem-solving are highly valued. Montessori classrooms also emphasize modeling a peaceful education, and a culture of respect and kindness among people and materials, developing crucial communication skills that extend into adulthood.

Due to the personalized and mastery-based nature of education, which focuses on the unique journey of self-improvement and growth for each individual child, grading is not feasible. A guide's purpose in the classroom is not to analyze the child’s learning and grade it, but to analyze the child’s learning and evolve it- so that the child can rise to their full potential.

Montessori is known for its mixed-age environment, grouping students in more flexible age ranges. This provides the children with effective communication by working with those who are more skilled and less skilled than others, building cooperation, solving conflict courteously, and sustaining a successful society.

Another way Montessori cultivates communication skills is by not silencing curiosity. Children are respected like they are modeled to by guides and older children. Experiencing this freedom, children learn to articulate their thoughts, preferences, and needs, laying important groundwork for future interactions and success in various contexts. 

A comprehensive analysis of 32 studies done by Campbell systematic reviews provides clear evidence that Montessorians “outperformed traditional education on a wide variety of academic and nonacademic outcomes.” The study states that “Montessori students performed about 1/3 of a standard deviation higher than students in traditional education on nonacademic outcomes, including self‐regulation (executive function), well‐being at school, social skills, and creativity.” Later on, the journal included that “People who attended Montessori as children have higher adult well‐being (Lillard, 2021) and recall liking school better during childhood (LeBoeuf, 2022).”

In adulthood, Montessorians have remarkable proficiency in navigating diverse social and professional settings expressing their thoughts in an effective and concise manner, and have strong abilities to self-regulate. The respectful and effective communication nurtured in a Montessori classroom ultimately leads to a fulfilled life.

Lastly, materials are respected in the classroom, which is inherently learned by following the social norms created by the mixed-age group and the guides in the environment. It’s important that children continue to grow their independence while also knowing how to use it. Decision-making and caring for their environment are two ways this is seen throughout the classroom.

For example, practical life skills are modeled through one-on-one instruction when the guide observes the child is ready for the challenge. A common example of this is how children are expected to prepare their setting when they eat in a graceful manner. Building their confidence along the way, they achieve these skills quickly with proficiency.

Lastly, the Montessori environment is set up for Work Cycles. This is a time when children are provided with uninterrupted time to engage deeply and meaningfully with self-directed learning activities. These Work Cycles typically last for around two to three hours and are a fundamental aspect of the Montessori approach.

Extended periods of uninterrupted work allow children to enter a state of deep concentration known as “flow.” During this time, children become absorbed in their chosen activities, enhancing their ability to focus, sustain attention, and engage in complex cognitive skills. Encouraging children to develop self-discipline, control, and manage their time independently, allows for Montessorians to own their education. This system also accommodates diverse developments rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all approach. 

Work Cycles instill many practical lifelong skills. Central among these is the mastery of time management, as individuals learn to allocate their time to various tasks. Moreover, Work Cycles foster focus and concentration skills, enabling individuals to maintain their attention amidst distraction, a skill that is becoming more and more notable in our society. Through consistent practice of self-management, children also develop self-discipline, which serves as a cornerstone for success in any endeavor. Lastly, Work Cycles initiate independent motivation, a force driven by natural curiosity. 

“I like the Montessori Method...it teaches through play. It makes learning a pleasure. It follows the natural instincts of the human being. The present system casts the brain into a mold. It does not encourage original thought or reasoning.” Thomas Edison

All in all, Montessori-educated individuals often exhibit a remarkable sense of independence. Rooted in a foundation of respect for oneself, others, and the environment, these individuals navigate the complexities of life with confidence, empathy, and resilience. They are accustomed to taking initiative and working purposefully and in harmony with their community. 

Montessorians often become successful entrepreneurs, STEM prodigies, writers, and many more accomplished professionals. Numerous successful individuals attribute their achievements, in part, to their Montessori education. From entrepreneurs like Larry Page and Sergey Brin (founders of Google), Jeff Bezos (founder of Amazon, who later started his own Montessori School), Julia Child (renowned author and TV personality), Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Nobel Prize winner), to cultural icons like Anne Frank, Prince Willam, and Prince Harry. These Montessori alumni have made significant contributions to various fields, showcasing the transformative power of this educational approach.

The profound impact of Montessori education lies in its ability to prepare children for life’s complexities. Montessori Education is all about nurturing independence through the fundamentals of Montessori seen from infants to adolescents and beyond. The introduction to lifelong skills at ages as early as 3, or even before, provides a graceful transition into the workforce and post-education life. This methodology ensures that children are prepared to take on life’s challenges confidently rather than waiting for them to encounter failures and feel overwhelmed and unhappy.

Montessori Education serves as the development for lifelong success by instilling self-reliability from an early age. Through its unique approach, emphasizing practical life skills, Montessori education lays a solid foundation for individuals to thrive in various aspects of life. The children’s sense of responsibility and confidence equips them with the methods they need to adapt to life’s challenges and seize opportunities. Montessori proves as a great choice for paving the way to achieving their full potential and being happy.