Describe five characteristics observed about Montessori, High Scope, Reggio Emilia and Head Start

Montessori is an educational approach developed by Italian doctor and educator Maria Montessori in the early 1900’s. The method focuses on intrinsic motivation, allowing children to explore their environment at their own pace and develop concentration and skill through play-based activities (Uecker & Trinder, 2011). Montessori classrooms are typically organized with a low teacher-student ratio and a variety of hands-on materials that allow children to learn independently. Five key characteristics of the Montessori approach include individualized learning; multi-age grouping; use of sensory activities; self-taught skills; and education through exploration (Kennedy, 2016).