When I tell people I am a Montessori teacher they typically respond with “Is that where kids do whatever they want?” or “Does Montessori make your kid a genius?” I think they are really asking, “What is Montessori?” Confusion and misinformation abound around the topic of Montessori. I found the five best websites that explain Montessori bringing clarity and understanding to the method and philosophy.
I hope these sites guide you toward answers to your questions, inspire you in your care and teaching of children, and give you useful ways to apply Montessori in your homeschool or classroom.
The American Montessori Society (AMS), the official American organization to explain all things Montessori, gives you a quick summary of the philosophy while also offering links to subtopics like “Montessori terminology” and “Benefits of Montessori Education.”
The Association Montessori International (AMI) is the official global organization. They explain Montessori in detailed components like “Montessori Environments” and “Montessori Programs”. Explanations of how the Montessori philosophy addresses each developmental stage give more depth and understanding.
The AMI-USA is the United States “chapter” of the Association Montessori International. They list current research on Montessori education and perspectives on Montessori from researchers and speakers outside the Montessori circle.
The Montessori Foundation explains Montessori in a longer-read format, but with a thoroughness I appreciate. The Montessori Council and Montessori Family Alliance are other organizations run by The Foundation. A little exploration of the site gives you helpful resources for educators, families, and more about Montessori.
Rising Tide Montessori provides a collection of free Montessori resources and videos. Short math and language video lessons explain Montessori materials clearly and concisely. Their videos for families explain the Montessori philosophy and method, while their video presentations of Montessori lessons and materials give an authentic educational experience.
These websites provide authentic, professional information on Montessori to continue the legacy given by Maria Montessori. The perspectives are those of lifelong Montessorians, educators, and researchers.
I hope it offers you a baseline understanding of Montessori. As with any educational philosophy, take what you love about it, make it your own, and don’t stress about being a “perfect” Montessorian.