My First Impression of Montessori

One of the most inspiring Maria Montessori quotes to me is, “The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six.”

I began my Montessori journey when I was 19 years old. I stumbled upon a job ad in the newspaper (yes, that is how we found jobs pre technology days) and I had no idea what a Montessori School was but I was a brand new child development major and I had just finished my first work experience job at a local elementary school in a kindergarten classroom during my senior year of high school. I found out during that time that I loved working with children, so I thought “let’s just see what this Montessori thing is.”

“I loved the idea immediately of how the owner transformed this space. Her school reminded me of a little farmhouse school in the country.”

A few days later, I found myself at the cutest little house turned school that was located on a peaceful and mature downtown street close to my hometown. I loved the idea immediately of how the owner transformed this space. Her school reminded me of a little farmhouse school in the country.

Following my interview, I was allowed to observe for a while which gave me time to see a Montessori classroom in action. I couldn’t help comparing and contrasting it to the Kindergarten class that I had worked in for a year where we brought children to our kidney shaped table in groups and gave them worksheets and standardized lessons until the timer rang. The Montessori preschool children, even younger than the Kindergarten children in my previous class, were busy working independently on things like: making snacks, washing dishes, letter sound practice, manipulating materials I had never seen before, counting lessons, and even washing the big windows at the back of the school.

I remember that I was struck by the beauty and flow of the moment. It is kind of weird to say, but in that moment I felt a sense of gratitude for the experience of witnessing this class of about 30 students just moving about attending to their inner needs. Although I knew nothing about Montessori, I knew that I wanted to be a part of it somehow. I knew I wanted to know more.

That very moment began my studies and love of the program that Maria Montessori began over 100 years ago. A woman well ahead of her time in every aspect you can imagine and one not just dedicated to the academic learning of her students but to the discovery of the inner child as well as helping to promote a peacefulness in life. During my years of study and work in Montessori to follow, I would come to learn what a leading pioneer she was in her theories, observations and educational implementations. Her way of thinking and teaching would become not just a big part of my life but my whole life. I would later learn that the roots of my pull towards Montessori were deeper than I knew.

Montessori is the very foundation of learning and growth. It encompasses honor and respect for the child, develops peace, kindness and grace and guides children through their social and academic lessons naturally. Montessori education is a celebration of the child.

-Barbara