What Is Montessori?

Montessori Education Overview

Montessori is a unique educational philosophy focused on the holistic development of children. Its approach encourages self-direction, cooperative learning, and the nurturing of a child's natural curiosity and abilities. Through carefully prepared environments and specialized materials, Montessori students grow in confidence, social competence, and academic capability.

The philosophy centers on several fundamental tenets:

  • Self-Directed Learning: Children choose activities and engage deeply with materials tailored to their developmental needs, fostering independence and self-motivation.

  • Non-Competitive Environment: Montessori classrooms promote collaboration over competition, helping children build positive relationships with peers and develop respect for self and others.

  • Practical Life Skills: Skills such as self-care, environmental maintenance, and social etiquette are integrated into daily routines, building the foundation for lifelong learning.

Montessori Terminology

Absorbent Mind
From birth to around age six, children experience intense mental activity, allowing them to learn naturally from their surroundings.

Children’s House (Casa dei Bambini)
The term for a Montessori classroom for children ages 2.5 to 6 years, often referred to as the “Children’s House.”

Control of Error
Montessori materials are designed so children receive feedback as they work, helping them recognize and correct mistakes independently, fostering self-confidence.

Cosmic Education
Introduced at the elementary level (ages 6-12), Cosmic Education connects children with the universe, promoting an understanding of interdependence and global responsibility.

Planes of Development
Montessori identifies four distinct growth stages:

  • Ages 0-6: Absorbent Mind

  • Ages 6-12: Reasoning and Abstraction

  • Ages 12-18: Social Self and Emotional Independence

  • Ages 18-24: Self-Understanding

For a comprehensive glossary of Montessori terminology, please explore the American Montessori Society's resources.

Who Is Maria Montessori?


Maria Montessori once stated that the goal of education is “the development of a complete human being, oriented to the environment and adapted to his or her time, place and culture.” Therefore, students in our school work with highly structured Montessori materials to become independent, self-driven learners.

Further reading about Maria Montessori and her methods, or to find family resources on all things Montessori: