Montessori Progress

Welcome to the Montessori Progress website

In the spirit of reconciliation Montessori Progress acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

In the early 1900’s, physician and educator Dr Maria Montessori, saw that the dominant education system did not serve the majority of children as well as it should. She developed the Montessori theory of children’s development and believed that our task is to educate the child’s whole being through their spirit, energy, creativity and passions in line with their capabilities. People supporting Montessori's principles and practices need to be authentic in their roles in their Montessori settings, whether it is as a leader, educators, admim or consultants, and acquire a deep understanding of Montessori education. Montessori stated that having completed the Montessori training “the holder of the diploma could now open a school and call it a Montessori school” (Kramer, 1988, p. 270), "the diploma will only enable students to direct Montessori schools” (p. 271). Montessori Progress is not for profit and aims to support Montessorians and promote authentic Montessori practice and research of Montessori in Oceania. You can help by conducting research projects and creating other Montessori initiatives. So contact Montessori Progress with your interest and let's see where it takes us all..

31st August is Dr Maria Montessori’s birthday. She was born in 1870 in Italy and died in 1952 in The Netherlands. In her book the Montessori Method, Montessori stated that “peace is what every human being is craving for, and it can be brought about by humanity through the child” (p. 86) she stated and also argued that human’s work must be based on three laws “love, know and serve”. She completely reconceptualise children’s education as she had observed gaps in their education. Montessori researched and developed her pedagogical ideas about children through empirical methods, experimentation, extensive observation, theory development and engaging in collaboration with other experts in the educational field. She argued in her book Education for a new world that “to think and to wish is not enough. It is action which counts” (p. 171). Contact us: Montessoriprogress@gmail.com

Vision, Mission & Values

Vision Statement

The vision of Montessori Progress is to assist all staff in Montessori settings in order to support each and every child they come into contact with. Enabling these children and young people to make decisions for themselves and to create a respectful and peaceful world.

Mission Statement

Montessori Progress will advocate for the rights of all of humanity, especially children. This will be accomplished by revisiting Maria and Mario Montessori literature to enhance transparency and authenticity of their messages to be acted upon by Montessorians.

Core Values

Montessori Progress’ values are personified through individual intent, ethical conduct, morals and respect for all.

Purpose Story

Purpose Statement

The purpose of Montessori Progress, through the auspices of Montessori Research Australia, is to provide empirical evidence to advance the Montessori movement. To conduct and publish research as the foundation on which to petition the government and education departments.

However, this cannot occur without Montessorians input through the Montessori Action Research Projects and other initiatives. Educators have been guided through this practical way of investigating, assessing and improving the way they teach and work with the children. More Montessorians can complete a simple project and their work is being published in Montessori Keystones. This quartley pub;ication is not only invaluable to settings and teacher development but is advancing Montessori research in Oceania.

You are invited to be a part of advocacy across Australia to influence the education departments and shift the way Montessori education is recognised.