The Montessori method was established at the turn of the century by Maria Montessori, an Italian physician. Her first school, Casa di Bambini, was established to care for children in the slums of Rome while their parents worked. She developed materials that are hands on and self-correcting. The classroom is the child’s special place. Everything in the classroom is child sized and within their reach. Children get their work and are expected to return the work to its proper place. The materials include practical life, sensorial activities, language, math, science and geography.

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The classrooms are multi-aged which allows learning from older children as well as reinforcing skills by helping younger children. This age range also encourages cooperation, respect for others’ needs and reduces competition. The teacher or guide will give individual or small group lessons. The students are then allowed to choose work. This allows them to individualize their learning and stay with something as long as necessary. This freedom does not mean that the class is undisciplined. The children are expected to work quietly and without disturbing their classmates.