I am a Montessori child.

With the exception of a brief six month period in first grade, I have never known any other kind of education. My Montessori education has shaped me into the person I am today. I am forever grateful to all of my teachers who guided me and helped me realize my own unique learning style, passion, and interests. However, as a Montessori student, I realize that many of the things I thought were normal every-day school activities may seem strange to people who have had more traditional schooling. Throughout my life, I noticed six specific things that were consistently linked back to my Montessori background. You know you are a Montessori Child when...

1. You Have to Explain What "Montessori" Means Constantly

When I was younger, this was the question I was asked the most often. When I told the kids in my neighborhood, or even my parents' adult friends, people would often ask, “what does that even mean?” I quickly learned several responses, “It’s like your school, but we have a lot of open time to decide on the work that we do.” Or “it’s a very hands on method of learning” None of my explanations could ever really do the Montessori method justice.

2. You Think of States and Numbers as Colors

Do any other Montessori kids remember how we learned the different states and countries of the world? Every single place was a different color. To this day, whenever I think of Texas I think of the color red, because that was the color of Texas in our particular puzzle-map in my classroom.

Learning to do math using the Montessori materials, I have found, is another incredibly unique and difficult to explain experience. Sometimes when I am doing division in my head, I still picture the bead frame.

3. You Are Used to Calling Teachers by Their First Names

Calling teachers by their first names is a very Montessori idea, and one that I think is fairly unique, especially in elementary education. I never found it strange as a child, but since I’ve grown up several people have commented on it. I know that some would say that calling a teacher by their first name is disrespectful, but in my experience, it actually promotes respect. In calling a teacher by their first name, you are acknowledging that they are your guide through your education, not your overlord. There is an understanding that you are both people, learning together. I realize that to many this idea seems odd. It is simply how I interpret the reason why many Montessori teachers choose to have their students address them by their first name.

4. You Grew Up Thinking Sweeping the Floor Was Fun

I don’t know if this is the case with every Montessori student, but in my experience the sweeping work was one of the most popular in my tiny Montessori preschool classroom. Everyone wanted to sweep the floor and collect all of their dust bunnies in that perfect square of tape on the floor.

5. You Are Very Good at Walking in A Straight Line

This is a strange one, I know. However, “Walking the Line” was one of my favorite things in my Montessori preschool. To this day, I am fairly proud of my ability to walk in a straight line, and I actually do find it very calming.

6. You Are Independent

Many of the things I have listed above are examples from my very early Montessori days, because they contained the most iconic or stereotypical Montessori experiences: washing dishes, learning math with the materials etc. However, this final sign is the most important, I think. My Montessori education taught me to be an independent thinker, and to take charge of my own education. Because of my Montessori education, I know how to manage my time. I know that I have the ability to pursue topics that are interesting to me. I know how to communicate with adults and my peers in a way that promotes respect and kindness. Montessori kids, at least in my experience, are independent and determined learners, because we learned from day one that your education is what you make it.

I encourage those interested in the Montessori method of education to research it further. It has truly transformed my life and I think greatly influenced my enthusiasm for learning over the years.

I am proud to be a Montessori Child.