What Maria Montessori Got Right—and What We Forgot

Maria Montessori believed children learn best when they are free to explore, move, and follow their interests.

Her methods were revolutionary—child-centered, respectful, and hands-on. And while we’ve adopted parts of her legacy in early childhood settings, we’ve lost much of it in traditional classrooms.

Montessori valued curiosity over compliance. Independence over micromanagement. Learning by doing—not just listening.

In an age of scripted lessons and standardization, her work reminds us of a simple yet profound truth: children are not empty vessels. They’re active participants in their own learning.

We don’t have to adopt her methods wholesale—but we’d do well to remember her wisdom.