A recent study published in the National Library of Medicine suggests that the long-term effects of Montessori education has advantages over traditional educational methods, particularly in terms of long-term psychological health and well-being of students.
The researchers enlisted a group of 1,905 adults from the United States, ranging in age from 18 to 81, who had attended either Montessori schools or conventional schools.
These participants were asked to complete various surveys related to their well-being.
The survey results of individuals who had received a Montessori education were compared to those who had experienced a conventional education.
The findings indicated a notable correlation between attending Montessori schools during childhood and higher levels of psychological well-being in adulthood.
Importantly, the researchers took into account other factors that are known to influence childhood and adult well-being, including age, race and ethnicity, gender, childhood socioeconomic status (SES), and private schooling.
Consequently, they concluded that none of these factors could be attributed to the observed results.
Lead author Lillard emphasizes that the analyses were designed to control for various variables, affirming that the outcomes are not influenced by age, race, ethnicity, gender, childhood SES, or private schooling.
The true effectiveness of Montessori education becomes evident when a child progresses through what Maria Montessori referred to as a “plane of development.”
The Montessori approach is a comprehensive educational framework that encompasses multiple age groups and dimensions.
In line with the World Economic Forum’s emphasis on essential 21st-century skills, which extend beyond rote memorization to include critical thinking, problem-solving, and practical application, Montessori education provides an environment where children can foster and develop these skills.
Below are the top 7 long-term effects of the Montessori method for your children!
- Better Academic Outcomes in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Education
One of the most common positive effect of Montessori education is the a child’s completion of a full plane of development which results to the holistic development of every child.
This is because in a Montessori environment, they are introduced to basic concepts in math and science at a young age, which helps them develop a strong foundation for later learning.
For example, in math, children in Montessori are taught how to add large numbers using Montessori materials.
This helps them grasp the concept of addition and lays the foundation for learning more complex math concepts later on.
Similarly, science lessons in both private and public Montessori schools cover topics such as botany, zoology, earth science, and the human body.
This provides Montessori children with basic knowledge about the world around them, which they can then build on as they get older.
However, if a child leaves Montessori school at age 5 to get traditional education before these concepts are firmly in place, they will miss out on the full benefit of Montessori plane of development.
- Montessori Education Produce Well-spoken Individuals
The Montessori approach to teaching phonics is systematic and is one of the most common long term benefits of Montessori education.
It uses a word list called “Phonics 44” that is popular in the UK.
The Montessori educational approach to phonics is also synthetic, which means that children are taught the sound-letter code before they use it to encode words (in spelling) and decode them (in reading).
One criticism of synthetic phonics is that it teaches letters and sounds removed from their meaningful language context.
This is because analytic phonics does not do this.
However, it is important to teach children both code-based skills (such as phonics) and language skills (such as vocabulary, morphology, syntax, and inferencing) in order to read for meaning.
These two sets of skills are not rigidly separated, but rather interact at multiple levels of the Montessori pedagogy.
The Montessori curriculum teaches phonics within a rich language context, both spoken and written.
This is because the Montessori teacher explicitly teach phonics which is most effective when it is integrated with text-level reading instruction.
- Better Writing Abilities
Research into writing supports the Montessori view that writing is a complex skill that involves many different components, such as handwriting, spelling, vocabulary, and sentence construction.
Research also shows that proficiency in these skills is predictive of the quality of children’s written compositions.
In the Montessori classroom, these skills are taught independently before being brought together.
This allows children to master each skill before moving on to the next which makes up one of the most common long-term benefits of the method.
Additionally, the Montessori classroom provides opportunities for children to practice these skills independently, which helps them to consolidate their learning, a far outcry between montessori and traditional school environments.
A growing body of research from conventional and special education classrooms demonstrates that the specific teaching of the component skills of writing improves the quality of children’s written compositions.
This research suggests that the Montessori approach to teaching writing is effective in helping children develop the skills they need to become proficient writers.
- Montessori Classroom Develops Mathematical Ability
The Montessori approach to teaching mathematics is in line with many of the recommendations for teaching mathematics to young children.
These recommendations include teaching geometry, number, and operations using a developmental progression, and using progress monitoring to ensure that mathematics instruction builds on what each child knows.
Some of the recommended activities, such as helping children to recognize, name, and compare shapes, and then teaching them to combine and separate shapes, map exactly onto Montessori’s sensorial materials such as the geometric cabinet and the constructive triangles.
Other activities, such as encouraging children to label collections with number words and numerals, map onto Montessori’s early mathematics material such as the number rods, the spindle box, and the cards and counters.
The importance of conceptual knowledge as the foundation for children being able to understand fractions has also been stressed in children’s development in classic Montessori.
The Montessori fraction circles, which provide a sensorial experience with the fractions from one whole to ten tenths, provide just such a foundation.
Practical life exercises such as preparing snacks and folding napkins also help children to develop their understanding of fractions which is one of the most unique features of the Montessori method.
Thus, the materials and activities provide children enrolled in a Montessori with a hands-on way to learn about mathematics, which helps them to develop a deep understanding of the concepts.
- Children Learn in a Prepared Environment
Children have sensitive periods, which are times when they are particularly interested in learning a certain skill or concept.
For example, a child might suddenly become interested in reading or be able to recognize words on signs. During these sensitive periods, children are able to learn quickly and easily.
The Montessori method is designed to take advantage of these sensitive periods in their programs and the school readiness to create positive long-term environment for the kids.
The materials and activities in a well-prepared Montessori classroom are carefully designed to help children learn the skills and concepts that they are interested in learning and puts a premium on the importance of education in Montessori settings.
For example, there are materials for teaching children about order, abstract thinking, and their place in the world.
The Montessori method believes that children learn best when they are allowed to follow their own interests and learn at their own pace.
The materials in the Montessori education fosters practical life skills and the activities in a Montessori classroom are designed to give children the freedom to explore and learn in a way that is meaningful to them.
- Well-disciplined Individuals
Traditional educational institutions often rely on rigid rules and regulations to enforce discipline.
This can be effective in the short term, but it can also lead to children becoming dependent on external forces for guidance and control.
The Montessori method of education, on the other hand, encourages children to develop self-discipline from within.
This is done by providing children with a carefully prepared environment that is conducive to learning and by giving them the freedom to choose their own activities and work at their own pace.
When children are allowed to make their own choices and learn from their own mistakes, they are more likely to develop self-control, patience, and discipline.
These qualities are essential for success in school, work, and life which is evident to those who attended Montessori preschools to high schools.
In addition, children who are self-disciplined are more likely to make sound decisions, build strong relationships, and achieve their goals.
They are also more likely to live healthy and fulfilling lives.
The Montessori method of education is a powerful tool for helping children develop self-discipline.
By providing children with a supportive environment and the freedom to learn at their own pace, the Montessori method helps children develop the qualities they need to succeed in life.
- Montessori Academy Produce Emotionally Intelligent Kids
The Montessori method of education is a holistic approach to learning that promotes the development of the whole child most especially emotionally.
It is based on the belief that children learn best when they are actively engaged in their learning and when they are allowed to follow their own interests.
The Montessori method is not limited to desks, chairs, and common curricula.
Instead, it provides children with a variety of materials and activities that allow them to explore their interests and learn at their own pace.
This makes it a good fit for children with learning disabilities, who may need more time and support to learn in a traditional setting.
The Montessori method also emphasizes the importance of independence and self-reliance.
Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and to make choices about their activities.
This helps them to develop the skills they need to be successful in school and in life.
What are the Salient Features of the Montessori Program?
- Respect for the child
Montessori education is based on the belief that children are naturally curious and eager to learn. The classroom environment is designed to be child-centered, with materials and activities that are tailored to the individual needs and interests of each child.
- Hands-on learning
Montessori education emphasizes hands-on learning, with children actively engaged in exploring and manipulating materials. This helps children to develop their cognitive, social, and emotional skills.
- Freedom within limits
Montessori classrooms offer children a great deal of freedom to choose their own activities and work at their own pace. However, there are also clear limits in place to help children learn self-discipline and responsibility.
- Multi-age classrooms
Montessori classrooms typically have children of mixed ages. This allows children to learn from each other and to develop a sense of community.
- The prepared environment
The prepared environment is a key element of Montessori education. It is a carefully designed space that is stocked with materials that are appropriate for the children’s developmental level. The environment is also arranged in a way that promotes independence and order.
- The role of the teacher
The teacher in a Montessori classroom is a facilitator who guides and supports children’s learning. The teacher does not lecture or give direct instruction, but rather observes children and provides them with the materials and guidance they need to learn.
Summary of Long-Term Effects of Montessori Education
Montessori education has been around for over a hundred years, and its longevity is likely due in part to its adaptability.
Studies have shown that children with years of Montessori schooling and are faithful to the high fidelity Montessori principles may benefit cognitively and socially.
The Montessori philosophy prides itself in its long-term outcomes with supplementary materials from Montessori classrooms which also highlighted the students’ long-term psychological health development.
However, it is less clear whether adapted forms of Montessori education, which usually result in children spending less time engaged with self-chosen learning materials, are as effective than traditional schools.
Despite this, new research suggest that the practical life materials from Montessori education can be usefully introduced into non-Montessori classrooms to support the development of the fine motor skills and attention of young Montessori students.
There is also ample evidence from the wider educational literature that certain elements of the Montessori method, such as teaching early literacy through a phonic approach embedded in a rich language context, and providing a sensorial foundation for mathematics education, are effective.
Overall, the long-term effects of Montessori education can be very beneficial for children, however, these benefits are not one-size-fits all. Whether your child is suitable for a Montessori education is up to you!
FAQs
Are Montessori schools religious? Montessori schools are not inherently religious. The founder of the Montessori method, Maria Montessori, was a Catholic, but she did not incorporate any religious teachings into her method and the Montessori activities. Instead, she focused on the development of the whole child, both physically and mentally.
What is the downside of Montessori?Montessori training is a popular choice for parents who want their children to have a hands-on, individualized learning experience. However, there are also some potential downsides to Montessori education that parents should be aware of such as the high tuition cost, accessibility, and the different curriculum it implores.
Do Montessori kids turn out better?There is no definitive answer to the question of whether or not the Montessori system has better turn out. However, there is some evidence to suggest that children who attend Montessori schools may have some advantages over children who attend traditional schools.