Montessori Education : key principles

1. Who was Maria Montessori?

Maria Montessori (1870–1952) was an Italian physician and educator, one of the first women in Italy to graduate in medicine.
Through her observations in hospitals and schools, she realized that children learn best when they are active and engaged in their discoveries, rather than passive recipients of teaching.
In 1907, she opened the first Casa dei Bambini in Rome, a place where the environment, materials, and the adult’s role were designed to foster the child’s natural development.
We have written a full article to better understand who Maria Montessori was.

2. The key principles of Montessori education

2.1. Independence

The child is encouraged to do alone what they are capable of: buttoning their shirt, pouring water, choosing an activity…
The idea is not to leave them “without help,” but to provide the tools to succeed by themselves. The adult shows how to do it and makes appropriate materials available for their psychological, social, and motor development.

2.2. The role of the adult

The adult is a guide: they observe, support, and suggest, without constantly directing.
For example, in a Montessori classroom, the child chooses an activity and repeats it for several minutes, since repetition anchors learning. The adult carefully selects activities that fit the child’s stage of development and sensitive periods, then demonstrates silently how to use them, repeating the demonstration if needed.

2.3. Respecting the child’s rhythm

Every child develops differently: some walk early, others speak later… The Montessori method adapts to this rhythm, rather than forcing premature learning. Individual activities make it possible to personalize learning as much as possible.

2.4. The prepared environment

The classroom or home is organized so everything is accessible: child-sized furniture, materials arranged by type of activity and stage of development, quiet spaces for concentration.
The materials are beautiful and real: everyday objects adapted to their size (glassware, small gardening tools…).

2.5. Learning through experience
Children manipulate concrete materials before moving to abstraction. For example, counting with beads before writing numbers. Sensory work is central, as it allows children to gradually grasp abstract concepts.

3. The benefits of Montessori education

• Self-confidence: the child becomes aware of their own abilities.

• Better concentration: chosen activities capture their attention for longer.

• Responsibility: putting materials away, taking care of their environment…

• Openness to the world: sensory materials, cultural discovery, respect for others.

4. Misconceptions about Montessori

• “There are no rules” – False: there is a clear framework based on mutual respect and concentration.

• “It’s just expensive materials” – False: many activities can be done with recycled items (egg cartons, sand, small objects…).

• “It’s only for calm children” – False: the method also helps very active children channel their energy.

5. Montessori at home: where to start?

• Set up an accessible corner: small table, low shelves, baskets.

• Offer activities that develop fine motor skills: pouring, sorting, folding, cutting.

• Encourage participation in daily tasks: cooking, gardening, light cleaning.

• Observe before intervening: sometimes, the child just needs time to find their own solution.

6. Montessori and language learning

The method works perfectly with learning English or French.
Sensory activities and concrete materials allow children to learn vocabulary in context, with gestures, objects, and real-life situations. At Kidioma, we use this approach to make language acquisition lively and natural.
For example, with sandpaper letters, children manipulate the letters, play with them, and memorize the sounds and the French alphabet in a lasting way—even if it can be challenging for Spanish-speaking children.

Conclusion

Montessori education is not an “educational trend,” but a genuine child-centered philosophy. It can be practiced at school or at home, with or without costly materials.
By adopting it, even in small ways, you give your child an environment that respects their pace, stimulates their curiosity, and strengthens their self-confidence.

In recent years, the word Montessori has been everywhere: in schools, on social media, in toy store aisles… But behind the trend lies a true educational philosophy, more than a century old, yet still remarkably relevant today.

The Montessori approach is for all children and places their overall development at the center. It is based on observation, independence, and respect for each child’s rhythm.

We previously published an article about Maria Montessori, the woman who, over 100 years ago, developed this method that remains so modern.

In this new article, you will discover its origins, key principles, benefits, and some common misconceptions, along with a few ideas to apply it at home.

Enjoy your reading!