For many years, Montessori education has been an alternative to traditional schooling; however, due to recent studies showing benefits for students who received Montessori instruction, there is now growing interest in this type of education. Montessori education is an effective way to educate all students and its benefits extend far beyond the classroom. It is a unique and effective approach to education that has many benefits for students to discover.

Montessori education has been shown to have benefits for students with different learning styles and Montessori schools in general seem to produce superior results when compared to traditional schools. Montessori children also show benefits in long-term measures such as cognitive ability and academic achievement.

Researchers have found that Montessori students show greater psychological health and well-being in their adult years. Montessori elementary students are less likely to develop symptoms of depression, peer problems or anxiety. Montessori children have been shown to be more creative as adults, and Montessori graduates have achieved greater success in higher education. Furthermore, Montessori education has been associated with a lower risk of academic failure or dropping out of school. Montessori students are less likely to exhibit self-esteem problems and were found less likely to be suspended or expelled from school. Montessori graduates have been shown to perform better on standardized tests and are more likely to graduate from college. Montessori children had higher reading scores in a study that had a large sample size, including 13,719 Montessori students and 514,933 traditionally educated students. Montessori children were also found to do better than their peers on non-verbal tests of intelligence.

Montessori students scored an average of about 7 percentile points above the mean. Montessori children also do better on measures of self-discipline and internal locus of control, which suggests Montessori education helps students become more responsible and less likely to blame external factors for their own failures. Montessori education is not just limited to childhood. Montessori colleges such as Montessori University offer students the opportunity to continue their Montessori education both before and after college. Montessori schools have also been opened for adults so that Montessori graduates can enjoy a Montessori education in their adult years. Montessori students also show benefits in standardized tests when they are in college.

Montessori students have been found to outperform their peers on the SAT and ACT, and Montessori graduates have been shown to be more likely to complete college. Montessori education is a unique approach to education that has many benefits for students. Montessori students show superior long-term outcomes in measures of cognitive ability, academic achievement, psychological health, and well-being.

Montessori children are better at social skills. Researchers tested the social skills of Montessori middle school students and found that they did better than children in traditional schools. Montessori students are generally more cooperative with their peers, especially when problems arose. Montessori children are also less likely to bully others. Montessori grade school students are less likely to use alcohol and illegal drugs and Montessori high school students are less likely to be pregnant or mothers.  Montessori students also have better relationships with their parents.

Finally, as adults, Montessori graduates have been shown to be more likely to have successful marriages and Montessori children have been found to be less likely to divorce as adults.

References:

Eisenstadt, S. (2002). Montessori from the start: The child at home, from birth to age three.

Tang, Kornet, Li & Miller, (2013)

Jung, Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius (2009)

Planty Montessori (2010)