Would you recognize a Montessori student amongst a group of school aged children? At work or play, students brought up through the Montessori Method tend to exhibit a number of definitive traits, making them easy to spot. These skills and behaviours are quickly recognizable by teachers in a classroom environment.

We recently spoke with a number of Elementary School teachers and asked them if they can tell when a former Montessori student joins their classroom. Here’s what they had to say!

SHARED TRAITS OF MONTESSORI STUDENTS 

Time Management Skills – Montessori students are observed as being consistently able to manage due dates, meet timelines and manage their work time in class efficiently.

Order & Organization – Children coming from a Montessori background have a noticeable respect for their environment: their belongings, the belongings of their classmates, as well as the classroom in general. They demonstrate a strong sense of order, willingly returning items to their proper place without prompting or reminders from the teacher.

“… nature endows a child with a sensitiveness to order. It is a kind of inner sense that distinguishes the relationships between various objects rather than the objects themselves. … Such an environment provides the foundation for an integrated life.” – Maria Montessori

Problem Solving Skills – Montessori students tend to be tremendously resourceful. They seek solutions on their own as a first step, and if they are unable to solve a problem independently they have the confidence and desire to ask a teacher for help. These students feel it is important to find a solution and seldom give up or concede unless they have exhausted all resources.

Life Skills – The whole child approach of Montessori education is evident in the self-advocacy and self-regulation observed in students. These children are well equipped to to resolve conflicts with their classmates, as they are able to verbalize their needs and use expressive language to aid understanding. They also know when they need to escalate and ask for help from an adult or teacher.

An early start in a Montessori environment provides students with long- lasting benefits that help them along their educational path, and eventually in their lives and careers as adults.  While not all students are able to remain in a Montessori classroom for the duration of their Casa and/or Elementary education, parents choosing Montessori for the early years should feel confident that the skills and traits gained during this influential time period will remain with their child for many years to come.

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Kendalwood Montessori & Elementary School is Durham Region’s first fully accredited Montessori school. At Kendalwood, we believe that our job is to inspire children to become the best students they can be. With a curriculum that focuses on developing the intellect as well as nurturing self-esteem, academics are taught, curiosity is cultivated and respect is fostered. Our approach creates an environment where students flourish and develop a lifelong love of learning.