The basic idea in the Montessori philosophy is that each child is a uniquely endowed individual living a whole life in a whole world.  Dr Montessori realized that the only valid impulse to learning is the self-motivation of the child.  Children move themselves towards learning.  The teacher prepares the environment, programs the activity, functions as a reference person and “example” and offers the child stimulation, but it is the child who learns, who is motivated through work itself(not solely by the teacher’s personality) to persist I his chosen task.  If the Montessori child is free to learn, it is because he acquires from his exposure, to both physical and mental order, an “inner discipline.” Patterns of concentration, persistence and thoroughness, established in early childhood, produce a confident and competent learner in later years. 

Schools have existed historically to teach children to observe, to think and to judge.  Montessori introduces the children to the joys of learning at an early age and provides a framework in which intellectual and social disciplines go hand in hand.  Teaching and learning are seen as inseparable, as are self, family, neighborhood, and the global community. Learning about oneself is part of learning about others. Learning and growing are what happens when people work and play together. Learning is not about winning and competing. 

Dr Montessori developed what she called the “prepared environment”- an environment in which consistency and dependability are the norms.  Children learn through active engagement with personally meaningful, multi-sensory materials.  Involvement, autonomy and risk taking are encouraged in the classroom activities and experiences.