Montessori philosophy: what it is and why this approach is still popular

The Montessori philosophy is a vision of education and upbringing in which the child is central. Maria Montessori assumed that children naturally want to learn, discover and develop themselves, provided they receive the right environment and guidance.

Montessori's most famous principle is: “Help me do it myself.” This means that children are not constantly guided, but rather are encouraged to make their own choices, practice themselves and take responsibility themselves.

The environment plays a major role within the Montessori philosophy. The room is quiet, uncluttered and furnished with materials that match the child's developmental stage. These materials are often designed in such a way that children can work independently and recognize and correct their own mistakes.

Freedom within clear boundaries is also an important principle. Children are given the space to learn at their own pace, but within a structure that helps them build focus, discipline and independence. In addition, a lot of attention is paid to mixed ages, so that children learn from each other and help each other.

The Montessori philosophy is still popular because it fits in well with what many parents and schools consider important: independence, intrinsic motivation and respect for the development of every child. There have been Montessori institutions in the Netherlands for more than 100 years, and the method remains current due to the strong emphasis on your own pace, responsibility and curiosity.