Is Montessori Good for ADHD?

August 19, 2025

Gone are the days when ADHD traits were unrecognised, misunderstood, or dismissed as simply “naughty” or “difficult” behaviour. With growing research and awareness around neurodivergence, parents and educators are rethinking how children learn best—focusing on appreciating and harnessing the strengths of each unique brain rather than assuming all children should thrive in the same type of learning environment.

This deeper understanding of different learning styles, along with the challenges that can accompany focus and attention, has inspired a number of parents to seek alternative, supportive learning environments. Many along this search have wondered: Is Montessori good for ADHD?

While it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, Montessori education, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 1900s, offers many features that can be beneficial for children with ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence.

What is Montessori Education?

The Montessori approach was developed over a century ago by Dr. Maria Montessori and is designed to nurture independence, self-directed learning, and hands-on exploration. This approach can be particularly supportive for children with ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence. Montessori education is built around the idea that children learn best when they can explore at their own pace, choose activities that interest them, and engage in hands-on, self-directed learning. This may sound chaotic, but far from it! Montessori classrooms are designed to be calm, organized, and full of sensory-rich materials, encouraging focus and independence.

Montessori Methods Vs Traditional Education for ADHD

This approach is very different from many traditional educational methods, where children are often expected to sit at desks for long periods, follow a strict timetable, and learn primarily through listening or reading. For children with ADHD, this can be highly challenging. Limited movement, high levels of auditory instruction, and an expectation that all learn at the same pace may lead to frustration, reduced focus, and disengagement.

Some core Montessori principles that may support children with ADHD include:

Learning in a prepared environment – Montessori learning spaces are intentionally designed to promote independence and concentration. Materials are arranged in an orderly way on accessible shelves, visual clutter is minimized, and the overall calm atmosphere helps children focus and engage purposefully.
Freedom within limits – Dr. Maria Montessori believed that children learn best when they have freedom to make choices and explore. For instance, allowing children to choose their own work or activity within clear, consistent boundaries.
Learning through the senses – Materials and lessons are designed to engage touch, sight, movement, and sometimes sound, helping children anchor abstract concepts in concrete experience.
Respect for individual pace – Montessori approach encourages matching lessons to the child’s development. In traditional educational settings, children who grasp concepts faster than their peers can become frustrated and lose focus if they are required to work at the same pace as everyone else. Conversely, students who need more time to understand can also feel frustrated and stop focusing if they are not given enough time.

Why Montessori Can Support Children with ADHD

In traditional classrooms, the expectation to remain seated, listen for long periods, and follow a set pace can make it difficult for children with ADHD to thrive. The result may be restlessness, missed learning opportunities, or behaviour challenges—not because the child is unwilling to learn, but because the environment isn’t suited to their needs.

Children with ADHD often thrive in environments where movement is encouraged, activities are hands-on, and lessons cater to different learning styles. Montessori classrooms incorporate these methods, which can help channel energy productively, maintain engagement, and build skills in focus and self-regulation.

Here’s how the Montessori approach may work better for ADHD kids:

Movement is encouraged – Children can move between activities instead of being confined to a desk, helping them release energy and stay engaged without becoming a “distraction” to others.
Multi-sensory learning materials – Beads, sandpaper letters, puzzles, and other tactile tools give abstract concepts a concrete form, which can hold attention longer than purely verbal instruction. Hands-on materials can also turn big ideas into something children can see, touch, and sometimes hear, making them easier to understand.
Active learning tasks – Activities like pouring, sorting, and building support kinesthetic learning and help children develop coordination and problem-solving skills.
Individualised attention – Teachers closely observe to tailor learning to each child’s strengths, challenges, pace, and preferred learning styles.

How Montessori Equipment Helps Children with ADHD at Home and School

In both Montessori schools and family homes, carefully chosen equipment can play a big role in promoting focus and physical development. For children with ADHD or other neurodivergent traits, our Montessori-inspired equipment can support the sensory needs of little ones.

Popular Montessori-inspired equipment for ADHD includes:

Pikler triangles & climbers – These provide safe outlets for energy, promoting coordination and gross motor skills.
Foam cubes & play blocks – Open-ended “building play” to encourage creativity, spatial awareness, and problem-solving.
Foam play mats – Create a safe, cushioned area for crawling, tumbling, and floor play—ideal for pairing with climbers or blocks for active play sessions.
Animal toddler stools – Encourage independence in everyday routines like cooking, handwashing, and reading, while adding a playful, confidence-building element.
Wooden stepping discs – Support balance, coordination, and imaginative play through movement-based activities and counting games.

Movement-rich play isn’t just fun—it’s also linked to improved executive function, attention, and mood regulation. Incorporating climbing and physical play into a child’s daily routine can help them reset and return to learning with renewed focus.

Will Montessori education help your child with ADHD?

So, is Montessori good for ADHD? While Montessori education and equipment have been transformative for many ADHD families, some children may need more external structure, additional learning supports, or a hybrid approach. Therefore, before committing to a Montessori school or investing in large equipment bundles for home use, we recommend you spend some time observing how your child responds to open-ended active play and choice. It may also be beneficial to consult with teachers or occupational therapists for personalised guidance from these professionals who may have spent a considerable time with your child in a learning environment already and/or who have specific training in spotting learning patterns and in helping children with neurodivergent traits.

For many children, the Montessori approach, incorporating a combination of movement, hands-on learning, calm spaces, and respect for individual pace, has great results. Montessori equipment like Pikler triangles, climbers, and foam cubes can be used at home or in the classroom to give children healthy ways to channel energy, build skills, and focus better.

By blending Montessori principles with an understanding of your child’s unique needs, you can create a home or classroom that inspires and supports their learning.