The Montessori Method

the long version

In The Montessori Method Maria Montessori describes a child as a sponge aching to absorb knowledge, and points out that the first six years of a child’s life are the most important for learning and development. The text itself outlines the Montessori method, beginning with the ideas of Freedom and Discipline. Classroom rules are kept to a minimum since Discipline is “self-discipline” in the Montessori classroom. Freedom is the freedom of self-expression. Montessori insisted that all people, especially children, are inherently creative and will move towards a system of self-discipline if they are given the freedom to discover that need for themselves.