Technology has been growing by leaps and bounds over the last two decades. We’ve seen a complete transformation in our society with regard to how we interact with each other, do business, and learn new skills. To many parents, Montessori feels like more of a throwback than a real possibility. Wooden toys and nature walks are great but in a world with tablets for toddlers, it seems laughable to build a whole curriculum out of it. How can a child succeed without basic computer literacy? And isn’t this at odds with the Montessori mission?

Dr. Montessori was known for saying that she taught with the tools of the day and that there would be new tools in the future.

One piece of Dr. Montessori’s personal history that is glossed over sometimes is how research-oriented she was. Her curriculum was nothing short of scientific because she put the science first. Her approach was pioneering but it was also studious. She was among the first to advocate for the rights of children and led the world in changing their perspective on learning disabilities. It seems unlikely that this educator would staunchly refuse new technology. If anything, she’s likely to be envious of the open access to information we have today. Dr. Montessori was known for saying that she taught with the tools of the day and that there would be new tools in the future. The glut of textbooks and worksheets that have become popular would not be a part of her curriculum because they lack the substance needed to teach young children. Solid lessons from computer programs are relatively new ideas but there are many materials with great potential.

The internet is a tremendous gift to learning and has presented new opportunities. It seems like such an obvious resource that some of us wonder what we did before we had it. It would be profoundly unscientific to deny it to children who are inevitably going to work with it one way or another. But it also has the capacity to do tremendous harm, as we’ve seen over and over again on social media and in tragic news stories. There are limits to the benefits of everything but forward thinking Montessori educators are finding ways to incorporate media like computer programs and videos in a way that is still true to their methods. The idea of personal autonomy and responsibility will have to extend into digital life as time passes. We have to think of technology as a life tool that is dangerous and useful at the same time, like a kitchen knife. Safety and proper use are paramount in developing a healthy understanding of the permanence of the internet.

Everyone needs to remember to keep their minds open to new ideas and experiences. A classroom is no different. In order to effectively educate a new generation, we have to understand the new challenges they face and the new advantages they may have. Our Touch Spanish program can be considered revolutionary for Montessori education but it’s also an extremely effective tool. There are endless possibilities in the changing world. If we keep our eyes and ears open for what’s really benefitting children, the future will stay bright.

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