There's a lot of buzz about Montessori pedagogy, but most of the time it comes from practicing teachers or already-convinced parents whose enthusiasm seems clearly excessive.

It's difficult in that situation to have an objective opinion. What is the Montessori method really worth?

In this article we will discuss the advantages, but also the limitations in the most objective way possible.

Without further ado, let's get straight to the point!

Famous Defenders

What do Jeff Bezos and children have in common? Maybe not much on the surface, but in 2018, the founder of Amazon pledged $1 billion to fund low-income Montessori preschools. You may not have known it, but along with many tech giants who founded Google and famous athletes, musicians, and activists, Bezos himself was educated using the Montessori method.

Hearing about this eye-catching donation and certain prominent figures educated in a Montessori program might make you want to learn more about what Montessori is and the potential advantages and limitations of this educational approach.

What is the Montessori Method?

The Montessori method was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 1900s. It is a child-centered method of education that includes child-directed activities (called "work"), classrooms with children of mixed ages, and teachers who encourage independence in their students.

Montessori believed that children learn best when they choose what to learn, and that philosophy is alive in Montessori classrooms today. A Montessori classroom probably looks different from a traditional classroom. Things that make it unique include:

• Various activity centers for children throughout the day.
• Teachers move from group to group rather than standing at the front of the class.
• A non-traditional grading system.
• A focus on the whole child – social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development are all considered.

As with any teaching method, some teachers and parents love the approach, while others aren't so keen. Read on to learn more about some potential pros and cons of Montessori education.

The Advantages of the Montessori Method

Passionate Teachers

If you ever talk to a Montessori educator, you'll probably hear a cascade of praise for the Montessori method. Educational systems tend to inspire genuine passion in the teachers who use them. But what, specifically, are the benefits of a Montessori education?

A Focus on Hands-On, Self-Directed Learning

Montessori classrooms are quite famous for being "pretty." Lots of natural light and space are common priorities in classroom design. All of this is done for a reason. "Creating a beautiful and accessible environment is of paramount importance, because children direct their own learning using carefully designed learning tools," says Jean Dupont-Sebastian, who founded an international Montessori school in Quebec.
"These arrangements lead young people to understand complex vocabulary and discover abstract ideas through the hands-on use of concrete objects designed for this purpose," explains Jean.
"What's best about a Montessori environment is that it allows children to work, develop, and learn at their own pace," says Julie Nguyen, a Montessori educator. "Children are exposed to lessons, activities, and materials that build on their skills – they progress in their individual development."

What does this look like? Well, something between a giant playroom and a workshop. "My favorite aspect of a Montessori classroom is found in the sensory materials we use with our students, particularly the geometric solids, sandpaper letters, and the color bead stair used for arithmetic," says Melissa d'Hont, a teacher at the international Montessori school in Quebec.
"These materials, used independently, offer students the opportunity to develop their concentration and coordination in addition to more traditional academic learning," explains Mrs. Martin.

Increased Social Interaction

Have you ever noticed how children are fascinated by what other children are doing? Montessori capitalizes on this by grouping children of different ages in the same learning environments. Stephanie Margaux says that most Montessori classes are mixed-age and designed to foster peer-to-peer learning. This arrangement can naturally lead to growth that might not occur in a more uniform age-group classroom.
"These mixed-age groups allow children to learn from each other, teach each other, and develop life skills like inclusion and acceptance," asserts Stéphanie.

Independence, a Pillar of the Montessori Method

"I appreciated the sense of trust and creative freedom you develop," explains Marion Bel, a former Montessori student and owner of her own web design agency. "I think the Montessori context is better for developing entrepreneurial skills."

Since much of the learning process is self-directed, children can gain a sense of autonomy and confidence in their abilities much faster than in a traditional school setting.
"Students who experience a Montessori classroom tend to be more capable of self-management and independent thinking," explains Mr. Dupont-Sebastian.

Inclusion of Special Needs in the Montessori Method

Maria Montessori's vision for education included children with special needs from the very beginning. Not only did she study intellectual and developmental disabilities, but she was co-director of a special education institute. It was in this context that she founded her first "Casa dei Bambini" for underprivileged children in Rome in 1907. Many of the principles of Montessori education serve students with special needs well.

Since children are grouped with other children of mixed ages and have the same teacher for three years at a time, students with special needs tend to have less pressure to keep up with their peers and more freedom to learn and grow at their own pace. Classroom continuity can also help students with special needs build close bonds within their class, creating a safe and stable environment for learning.

Montessori's "follow the child" philosophy allows all children — not just those with special needs — to receive individualized education. A Montessori instructor's lesson plan may contain each child's name with different goals and ideas for their unique learning style. This especially helps students with special needs learn at their own pace.

The Limitations of Montessori Pedagogy

Of course, this doesn't mean that every Montessori experience will be a good one. Teachers, classmates, and school administration can seriously influence your experience for the better. And on the flip side, there are some aspects of Montessori culture that can cause problems for some.

Montessori Education is Expensive

It's difficult for Montessori schools to keep their prices low.

"Acquiring so many durable, high-quality learning materials, as well as the long and thorough training on using these items for young children, is a costly endeavor," explains Mrs. d'Hont. "That's why most Montessori programs are expensive."

While organizations overseas try to combat the expense on behalf of students — like the foundation created by Bezos — these institutions are only active in the United States; elsewhere there aren't many options for teachers in their continuing Montessori education or certification. Mrs. d'Hont says she "would like to see Montessori education accessible to all adults who wish to 'follow the child' and to all children, regardless of their parents' financial situation."

Montessori Education is Not Accessible to All

For some, Montessori education goes hand in hand with belonging to an upper social class. Although this is far from Maria Montessori's original vision, it is unfortunately the norm. Because this education philosophy overturns the traditional public school curriculum, Montessori programs are private, with tuition fees and admission regulations. It is therefore extremely difficult for more disadvantaged students to access this education, fostering a certain degree of insularity.

The Montessori Method Curriculum Can Be a Bit Light and Easily Create Gaps.

Even though "following the child" shouldn't be interpreted as "letting children do whatever they want," it is still a less structured curriculum than what you might find in a more common approach.

It falls to the teacher and the assistant to ensure that children progress at the right pace. Ideally, these exchanges can work well. But it can also create room for some subjects to fall by the wayside.

"I would change the flexibility of the curriculum," states Mrs. Margaux, reflecting on her own experience as a student. "I was very poorly prepared for math and science classes and over-prepared for language and arts classes."

Independence Isn't Everything

Montessori is strong in promoting a sense of independence and self-guided work. But as Mrs. Margaux points out, " employment situations aren't always like that. The entrepreneurial mindset that can be so valuable can also make it difficult for students to collaborate in teams and work under rigid authority."

"Montessori school teaches you to think on your own terms, and the workforce is more team-oriented," adds Mrs. Margaux.

"Students would need more support on how to collaborate," explains Mrs. d'Hont. "Collaboration is not a student practice that is well addressed in the Montessori curriculum." Since collaboration is such a prized skill in today's world, some Montessori schools could certainly push their emphasis in this area.

The Open Structure of the Montessori Classroom Can Be Intimidating for Some

Children tend to like routine and structure. Even the physical barriers of desks lined up in rows can be a comfort to some students. Montessori classrooms are built to allow movement and change, and teachers tend to guide more than directly instruct.

Montessori: For or Against?

"To someone uninitiated, a classroom functioning according to Montessori pedagogy looks like a daycare, rather than a normal primary school educational institution. I think this is the view that many teachers, parents, and other officials within the Ministry of National Education have of the Montessori method," explains Jean Jaouë.

While some stereotypes hold a grain of truth, Montessori remains a fantastic pedagogical method. This "organized chaos" allows kindergarten and primary school students to receive an education tailored to their needs and fosters learning.

Adherence to the academic calendar and the national education curriculum remains a barrier to adoption within private, state-contracted primary and nursery schools. But it remains an interesting educational project, unfortunately difficult for parents to pursue. Indeed, receiving a Montessori education can only happen in a few rare private schools outside of state contracts, through homeschooling (IEF), or through extracurricular teaching.

While the Montessori method avoids school dropout due to its adapted academic pace and enriched school life; it remains that school principals themselves recognize that academic results, school success, are difficult to measure compared to the traditional educational system.

"We observe better long-term success, but on standardized exams, our students are not necessarily better. But the traditional school system specifically prepares for these exams."

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