At its core, Montessori is a profoundly respectful method of education, focused on supporting the optimal development of each child. Dr. Maria Montessori discovered that young children learn best through physical activity when given the freedom to discover, explore and create in an enriched environment. 

The Montessori curriculum incorporates a great variety of activities that allow the children to to pursue individual interests and to find fulfillment in their daily work and play. Children have the freedom to choose activities, provided they uphold simple guidelines respecting the needs of others. These guidelines assist the children in creating a peaceful and happy social group. 

Above all, Montessori is a philosophy of appreciation and respect for each child and of honoring the child’s work of self-construction. The role of the Montessori adult is to cultivate this attitude in ourselves and to apply it to the best of our ability. We guide the children in learning to relate to each other peacefully and cooperatively and in finding constructive, acceptable and respectful ways of expressing all types of feelings. Using the Montessori curriculum as our guide, we offer learning experiences that match the developmental needs of each child at his or her own pace. 

For in depth information on Montessori education, please follow the links below to our partner organizations.

Oregon Montessori Association

Montessori Institute Northwest

Association Montessori Internationale (AMI)

AMI-USA

Recommended Reading

By Maria Montessori

 The Child in the Family

 What You Should Know About Your Child

 Education and Peace

 The Secret of Childhood

 The Absorbent Mind (particularly for ages 0-6)

By Mario Montessori Jr.

 Education for Human Development: Understanding Montessori 

By Paula Polk Lillard

 Montessori From The Start 

 Montessori: A Modern Approach

 Montessori Today

By Angeline Stoll Lillard

 Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius