Went to Steiner school, can confirm I’m capable of knitting a chicken.

It worked out well for me in terms of education but that’s a small data point.

I agree with the above comment, I think your friend went to a Steiner school not a Montessori.

My kid's Steiner school has them outside playing for two hours plus every morning, rain or shine. I hope this will save him from having myopia as deeply awful as my own.