“Parents who choose Montessori soon discover that it’s more than an educational philosophy or a teaching method. In essence, it’s a way of life.”
Montessori education is based on the research, observations, and teachings of Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator. Dr. Montessori believed that a child’s natural development should guide their education. Teachers serve as “guides on the side, rather than sages on the stage,” creating environments that balance freedom and responsibility while encouraging respect, independence, order, coordination, and concentration.
Classrooms are intentionally mixed age, so that children in different developmental stages learn together while progressing at their own pace. Specially designed Montessori materials engage the senses, encourage discovery, and allow children to notice and correct their own mistakes. Lessons move from whole to part and from concrete to abstract, supporting academic learning as well as the growth of the whole child.
Montessori as a Way of Life
Montessori does not stop at the classroom door. For children to fully benefit, parents play an essential role by supporting consistency between home and school. Simple choices that encourage independence, slow the pace of family life, and allow children to take real responsibility help children experience Montessori as a way of living, not only a way of learning.
Meridian’s Approach
At Meridian, we honor the core tenets of Montessori while adapting them to the realities of modern children and families. Over the years, we have mindfully and deliberately mastered both the art and the science of evolving Montessori for the twenty-first century. As pioneers in this work, our experience is unmatched in carrying forward Dr. Montessori’s vision while keeping it living, relevant, and accessible today.
Our approach emphasizes mindful connection, sustainability, and a careful blending of tradition with innovation. We work to ensure that Montessori remains responsive to the world our children are growing up in, without losing its grounding in observation, development, and purposeful preparation.
For further reading on Montessori’s life and work, The Montessori Foundation (montessori.org) is a helpful starting point.