FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS?

WHY DO SO MANY FAMILIES CHOOSE MONTESSORI?

Children learn at their own pace-children are never competing academically in Montessori preschools. They are encouraged to spend time working on their material, it's through repetition that they master skills.
Individualized Learning-children receive lessons when they are most ready for them.
Whole child education-We focus on the whole child social-emotional, physical development, and academic skills.
Supported by research-Montessori is a proven method with over 100 years of research and success.

WHAT IS MONTESSORI?

The Montessori pedagogy was created by Maria Montessori, an Italian physician, over 100 years ago in Italy, where the first Montessori preschool was formed. She had such a passion for children and the way they naturally learn. She created what we call today "Montessori". It is a child-centered approach, that allows children to learn at their own pace, explore, and develop skills that will benefit them for a lifetime. I like to say it's a lifestyle not a method. In the Montessori environment there are many opportunities for children to learn through hands on material, which we call "work". The environment is carefully prepared to allow children to grow in all the areas of development. Montessori helps children reach their full-potential.

What Happens in the Classroom?

A typical day in the Montessori Preschool is a beautiful site to see and experience.

First, we start off with changing our outdoor shoes to indoor shoes.
Secondly, the child then enters his work environment and prepares by washing his hands.
Thirdly, the child then freely chooses what work he wants to start with. (All learning areas are open to the child)
Fourthly, the child takes whatever work he has chosen to start with and begins his day with engaging in purposeful work.
Lastly, once the child has finish with the work, he cleans it up and chooses another work that interest him.

These are the basic steps that happens during the work cycle. The Lead Guide is giving lessons and guiding students to make choices that support the child's learning. In our classrooms we have smaller groupings of 10 students with a Lead Guide and an Assistant Guide. This approach to smaller groupings allows for more focus on the child and his development. This also allows the Guides to support the children with lessons and providing the attention they deserve. The children are engaging in social skills while they are working, preparing to have snacks, and engaging in activities. During the three-hour uninterrupted work period there's so much happening, and learning comes naturally. To see it, is to love it. The children are using their executive functioning skills and thriving in our classrooms.

MONTESSORI VS CONVENTIONAL EDUCATION

MONTESSORI:

Mixed age, children 3 to 6 age are grouped into one primary classroom.
Emphasis on more cognitive learning and total development.
Child-centered learning.
Child learns by hands on material and learning naturally. Individualized learning and auto-learning.
Child completes "cycle of activity".
Through repetition, children master skills.
Child has freedom to move and work within the classroom.
Prepared environment provides for self-discipline.
Emphasis on concrete learning.

CONVENTIONAL:

Same age group kindergarten children are all the same age.
Emphasis on rote learning and social development.
Teacher-centered learning (the teacher is directing the learning.
Teacher determines what is being learned and sets the time limits of activities.
Child assigned seat and follows specific class periods.
Teacher instills discipline.
Emphasis on abstract learning.