Montessori emphasizes learning through all five senses, not just through listening, watching, or reading. Children in Montessori classes learn at their own, individual pace and according to their own choice of activities from hundreds of possibilities. Learning is an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning. Montessori classes place children in three-year age groups (3-6, 6-9, 9-12, and so on), forming communities in which the older children spontaneously share their knowledge with the younger ones. Montessori represents an entirely different approach to education.

Using Montessori principles of child development at home. Look at your home through your child's eyes. Children need a sense of belonging, and they get it by participating fully in the routines of everyday life. "Help me do it by myself" is the life theme of the preschooler. Can you find ways for your child to participate in meal preparation, cleaning, gardening, caring for clothes, shoes, and toys? Providing opportunities for independence is the surest way to build your child's self-esteem.

 Emphasis on cognitive development:

1. Teacher has unobtrusive role in the classroom.
2. Environment and method encourages self-discipline
3. Mainly individual instruction; mixed aged grouping.
4. Grouping encourages children to teach and help each other.
5. Child chooses her or his own work.
6. Child discovers her own concepts from self teaching material.
7. Child works as long as she or he wishes on chose project.
8. Child sets own learning pace.
9. Child spots her or his own errors from feedback material.
10. Child reinforces her or his own learning by repetition of work and internal feeling of success.
11. Multisensory materials for physical exploration.
12. Organized program for learning care of self and environment (polish shoes, sink).
13. Child works where she or he chooses, moves around and talks at will (not disturbing others); group works is voluntary.