The Montessori Method was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, one of the first female physicians in Italy. Her early specialty was in Psychiatry with a special interest in Education. Her observations led her to question the current methods of teaching. Using scientific observation and experience gained from her earlier work with young children, in 1900 Maria designed learning materials and a classroom environment that fostered the children’s natural desire to learn and provided freedom for them to choose their own materials. The children in Maria’s programs thrived, exhibiting concentration, attention, and spontaneous self-discipline. Over a century later, Dr. Montessori is considered one of the 3 pillars of progressive education. The Montessori method focuses on developing the whole child, using hands-on materials, intrinsic motivation and practical life skills.

A fundamental truth permeates Montessori’s work: children are desperate to learn! However, Montessori schools do not assign traditional homework. Dr. Montessori believed that if we do not dictate the work of the child in class, then it does not make sense to dictate the work they choose at home. Therefore, traditional homework is kept to a minimum. Children spend all day in the classroom learning and need their afternoons and evenings to pursue their personal interests, interact with their families and relax. 

• Instead, we encourage activities which constructively direct a child’s pursuits during home hours, while nurturing their interests and building family bonds.  In a Montessori class, children are motivated to discover why and how things work. Therefore, homework, in a Montessori sense, is work that the child does at home, as an extension of his or her educational exploration. This can include things like household chores. Having responsibilities at home can build language skills and increase cultural awareness.
• Community events such as International Festival, Science Fair, History Fair, Literacy Week and STEAM Week provide families opportunities to celebrate learning together through hands-on activities and student presentations.
• Make math a part of your home environment such as having the child pair socks and count by twos; dividing a pizza into equal parts; measuring ingredients, shopping and making change. Things such as this gives the child a voice in family decisions will help a child’s confidence, perceptions of Math concepts as well as learning about their own economic geography. Reading with your child every day will result in quality time, confidence and language skills, while creating a love of reading.
• Teachers may assign extra practice for some students if they are not using time wisely at school or if they need additional intervention for skill mastery. 
• Quality Education has been a very hot topic recently in our news and social media as well as in films and documentaries and yet the question remains: Will more homework raise academic achievement and test scores? Much has been said about overly programmed after-school schedules; too much homework that steals family time; and an approach to learning that emphasizes memorization and test scores over real understanding and critical thinking.
• Please prioritize spending quality time with your children, inspiring their natural curiosity and love for learning. They are only children for a short time.

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