Education for life

The Montessori approach is often described as an "education for life." Recent studies show that many bright students are passive learners. They get through school, earning high grades, but rarely push themselves to read material that hasn't been assigned, ask probing questions, challenge their teacher's cherished opinions, or think for themselves. They typically want teachers to hand them the "right answer." The problem isn't with today's children, but with today's schools. Children are as gifted, curious, and creative as they ever were. They thrive when working on something that captures their interest and which they have voluntarily chosen to explore.

In Montessori we have a very different set of priorities from traditional schools, and a very low regard for mindless memorization and superficial learning. Montessori students may not memorize as many facts, but they do tend to become self-confident, independent thinkers who learn because they are interested in the world and enthusiastic about life, not simply to get a good grade.

 

A welcome addition

Montessori is a welcome new addition to the Thai education scene. Dr Maria Montessori pioneered this innovative and extremely effective learning program nearly 100 years ago in Europe. Today Montessori schools can be found all over the world. No accurate count of the total number of Montessori schools has ever been made, but a reasonable guess might be a hundred thousand schools world-wide.

Every Montessori school is unique and reflects the character and needs of the community it is serves. Even within the same school, each class may look and feel quite different from the others reflecting the interests and personalities of the teachers. Yet certain characteristics will be found in all classes that are honestly following the Montessori approach.

 

Replicability and Sustainability

Two great qualities are replicability (it can be translated successfully into all sorts of new situations) and sustainability (Montessori programs don't tend to self-destruct after a few years, as do many other educational reforms). As the second true Montessori school in Thailand we look forward to a long future helping our own children and also encouraging other communities to start schools.