The Montessori method was originally designed to educate young children and help them achieve their full potential. Today, it is used for people of all ages, even in therapy for people who suffer from head trauma and dementia. Montessori schools have proven effective and have produced many successful entrepreneurs and happy individuals.
What age do Montessori schools go up to? Montessori school levels go up to 18 years old students. Montessori programs usually start at 3 years old but some schools have programs for infants and toddlers as young as 6 weeks to 2.5 years old. Montessori learning does not stop. People continue learning well into adulthood and Montessori values play an important role in lifelong learning.
Stages of Montessori Education
Montessori does not have grade levels, it has stages of learning.
Infant and Toddler (0 to 3 Years Old)
This is a special program for early education for children ages 0 to 3 years old. Infant programs are rare but several Montessori schools accept young children ages 18 months to 2.5 years old.
Preschool (3 to 6 Years Old)
The majority of Montessori schools in the country start at preschool for children ages 3 to 6 years old.
The Montessori preschool program focuses on language and movement, age-appropriate life skills, and basic academic subjects like math and sciences.
Elementary Education (6 to 12 Years Old?
Montessori elementary is divided into two – lower elementary for children ages 6 to 9 years old and upper elementary for children ages 9 ton12 years old.
Secondary Education (12 to 18 Years Old)
The Montessori secondary education program is divided into two separate groups – middle school for students ages 12 to 15 years old and high school for students ages 15 ton18 years old.
Montessori Planes of Development
Montessori believes that children tend to experience the same developmental milestones at the same age range regardless of their cultural background and upbringing.
Physical and psychological milestones are both as important and are likely to occur together.
Each plane of development involves various changes, not physical and psychological, that require changes in the educational environment as well to achieve maximum learning and growth.
The Absorbent Mind (0 to 6 Years Old)
From ages 0 to 6 years, children are in the absorbent mind stage. Children at this age are very eager to learn and constantly absorb new information from everyone and everything in their surroundings. Children this time learn naturally and effortlessly.
The absorbent mind is characterized by sensitive periods. These are the optimal points for mastering certain skills. Sensitive periods are certain times in a young child’s life when they become very interested and focused on learning specific skills. The absorbent mind is divided into two stages:
- The Unconscious Stage (0 to 3 Years Old) – at this stage, children absorb information unconsciously. They learn through observation and imitation. This is how they develop basic skills in language and movement.
- The Conscious Stage (3 to 6 Years Old) – at 3 to 6 years old, children become more conscious of their environment and naturally seek out information through exploration, discovery, and play. They are very motivated to expand their knowledge and skills. They are very active, and curious, and seek
independence by making their own choices and doing things on their own.
Montessori supports this stage by closely observing the children and recognizing their sensitive periods. It provides the proper tools and learning materials that are appropriate for their current developmental needs.
The Reasoning Mind (6 to 12 Years Old)
At around 6 years old, children have completed the sensitive periods and outgrown the absorbent mind. They become more social and group-oriented. They begin to think more abstractly and logically. They become aware of morality and are now interested in practical subjects like math, science, and history.
Montessori supports children’s needs by putting them in multi-age classrooms for three-year periods that form a small community. They develop good social skills and positive character traits that will prepare them to become productive members of society. They learn to resolve conflicts peacefully, accept differences in opinions and perspectives, and learn respect, patience, courtesy, and grace.
The Montessori classroom provides activity stations and learning materials that develop their independence, intellect, practical skills, and social interaction skills. The prepared environment of Montessori enables children to dive deeper into academic subjects like math, science, history, and other subjects they are interested in.
Development of Social Consciousness (12 to 18 Years Old)
Montessori students ages 12 to 18 years old are now called adolescents. They go through puberty and start to transition into adulthood and independent life in society.
The skills Montessori hours at this stage are no longer focused on scholarship but on skills that will prepare them for the adult world. Academic subjects are still included in the curriculum but greater emphasis is put on practical skills.
Adolescents are encouraged to master practical skills for independent living like cooking, carpentry, sewing, creating small businesses, and on-the-job training in fields that they are interested in.
Transitioning to Adulthood (18 to 24 Years Old)
At this stage, Montessori students are now adults and are done with Montessori school. They are pursuing higher education or careers.
At this point, they rely on the knowledge and skills they have learned and mastered in Montessori.
Montessori learning does not stop when children are done with school. Learning is a lifelong process and Montessori training plays a key role in the process.
FAQs
Does Montessori prepare students for higher education? Yes, Montessori prepares children for higher education. It gives them quality training in academics and teaches them practical skills they need to succeed in college and other endeavors.
Is there discipline in Montessori? Montessori helps children develop self-discipline through hands-on activities that teach them self-assessment, self-regulation, time management, and responsibility.
Summary
Montessori school levels go up to 18 years old students. Montessori programs usually start at 3 years old but some schools have programs for infants and toddlers as young as 6 weeks to 2.5 years old. Montessori learning does not stop. People continue learning well into adulthood and Montessori values play an important role in lifelong learning.