What to say to a school that calls itself Montessori but isn’t?
The term ‘Montessori’ is used in many ways, with a wide range of preparations for Montessori educators – AMI is the oldest and traces its methods directly to Maria Montessori, but many others have created their own training programmes over the decades. I recommend first reflecting on your own understanding of Montessori education and why you disagree with this school’s self-identification. If you want to say anything, start with a conversation. Ask questions to discover their origins, their mission, their own definition of what makes them Montessori. Without opposition, describe how they differ from your ideas. Above all, seek common ground.
![Montessori Cylinder Blocks material](https://montessori-ami.org/sites/default/files/images/questions/cylinder-blocks.jpg)