The basic tenet of Montessori philosophy is that a child learns best in a social environment that supports his or her unique development.
Dr. Montessori believed that by providing children a stimulating, specially prepared environment, their natural curiosity would help them become self motivated learners. She believed in meeting children’s individual learning needs, freedom of choice and movement, and the importance of self-discovery. 
Education was not simply a tool used to develop intellectual skills; it was a preparation for life. To this end, Dr. Montessori designed materials for all subject areas and activities that children experience through their senses and interactively in a multi-age, multi-ethnic classroom setting.
The teacher prepares the environment, programs, and activity, and then functions as a reference person and guide, providing encouragement. “Never let children risk failure until they have a reasonable chance of success,” Dr. Montessori said. At every step of learning, the teaching material is designed to test understanding and correct errors. Patterns of time management, concentration, task completion, and thoroughness established in early years produce a competent learner in later years.
Montessori education was introduced in the United States in 1912 when Alexander Graham Bell established one of the first schools in his own home. America enthusiastically welcomed Dr. Montessori in 1915 to establish classrooms for the World Exhibition in San Francisco, California. Today the Montessori method thrives in the United States, with more than 3,000 schools established since 1957.
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