In the field of education of small children Montessori education methods and “Montessori Schools” have become widely accepted the world over. It is a tremendous tribute to Italian educator Dr. Maria Montessori who developed her concepts about educational methods for children in the late 19th century. Few of us know that the Montessori methods that are so acclaimed were developed while Maria Montessori was studying educational environment of children with physical and mental disabilities.

Subjects taught in the Montessori schools are the same as covered by preschool curriculum but they are taught by Montessori approach. Dr. Montessori’s methods of children’s education are based on her observation that children do not develop and think the way adults do; that children choose resources and materials from among those available to them and set direction to their own learning. The teacher provides suitable material to children and then remains a “silent presence” in the classroom.

Up to the age of six a child has an absorbent mind and that he has a strong desire to understand and perfect his skills within his environment. Also young children learn by repetitious activities; for example, his incessant babbling, which to us is quite incoherent and incomprehensible, is his language practice which leads to his competence in language. These observations form the basis of Montessori learning methods.

Elementary schooling generally starts at the age of five or six; however, smaller children can learn and can absorb knowledge quickly, and they have interest and inquisitiveness about the world around them. This naturally makes them suitable to receive education. Montessori learning methods are quite suitable for this condition even though the children are not yet fit for regular elementary education.

Though Montessori education methods are popularly applied in preschool settings there is yet another form of school that is popular as a preschool system and that is Kindergarten. Kindergarten aims to provide the transition from the home atmosphere to the formal schooling. Here children develop basic skills through play and they are taught social interaction. Pre K (pre-kindergarten) school provides an environment very similar to that provided by Montessori schools for children of age groups of three and four.

Montessori education is a part of the preschool education in America. Montessori education has been most widely spread in USA; there are about 4,000 Montessori schools in the USA. Montessori schools are found almost anywhere in the world; there are about 8,000 Montessori schools the world over.

Even though children of preschool age were the focus of Dr. Montessori’s initial work, she along with her son took up research in adapting her approach to elementary schools also in later years. She had a desire to extend her teaching methods to further educational levels such as secondary schooling and colleges; towards the end of her life she described these ideas in her book.

There are many schools that may misrepresent by using the name of Montessori school since “Montessori” is not a trade mark. Parents need to be cautious in enrolling their children in Montessori school.