Frequently Asked Questions About Montessori
Q. Where did Montessori come from?
A. Montessori (pronounced MON-tuh-SORE-ee) education was founded in 1907 by Dr. Maria Montessori, the first woman in Italy to become a physician. She based her educational methods on scientific observation of children’s learning processes. Guided by her discovery that children teach themselves, Dr. Montessori designed a “prepared environment” in which children could freely choose from a number of developmentally appropriate activities. Now, nearly a century after Maria Montessori’s first casa dei bambini (“children’s house”) in Rome, Montessori education is found all over the world, spanning ages from birth to adolescence.
Q. What is the difference between Montessori and traditional education?
A. Montessori emphasizes learning through all five senses, not just through listening, watching, or reading. Children in Montessori classes learn at their own, individual pace and according to their own choice of activities from hundreds of possibilities. Learning is an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning. Montessori classes are divided into children of same age groups, forming communities in which the older children spontaneously share their knowledge with the younger ones. Montessori represents an entirely different approach to education.
Q. Is Montessori good for children with learning disabilities? What about gifted children?
A. Montessori is designed to help all children reach their fullest potential at their own unique pace. A classroom whose children have varying abilities is a community in which everyone learns from one another and everyone contributes. Moreover, multi-age grouping allows each child to find his or her own pace without feeling “ahead” or “behind” in relation to peers.
Q. What ages does Montessori serve?
A. Mostly Montessori program are for ages 1.8 to 5 years.
Q. Are Montessori children successful later in life?
A. Research studies show that Montessori children are well prepared for later life academically, socially, and emotionally. In addition to scoring well on standardized tests, Montessori children are ranked above average on such criteria as following directions, turning in work on time, listening attentively, using basic skills, showing responsibility, asking provocative questions, showing enthusiasm for learning, and adapting to new situations.
Q. How Montessori education help children prepare for real life?
1) the materials teach specific things and then the creativity is incredible. Like learning how to handle a good violin and then playing music. It is not considered “creative” to use a violin as a hammer, or a bridge while playing with blocks. We consider it “creative” to learn how to use the violin properly and then create music. The same goes for the materials in a Montessori classroom.
2) there is as much interaction as the children desire, but the tasks are so satisfying that, for these few hours a day, children want to master the challenges offered by them. Then they become happier and kinder true socialization. Also, since concentration is protected above all, as all “work” is respected, children learn early on not to interrupt someone who is concentrating.
Q. Who accredits or oversees Montessori schools?
A. Unfortunately, there is no way to limit the use of the name “Montessori.” Parents must carefully research, and observe a classroom in operation, in order to choose a real Montessori school for their child. One of the most important thing is find out how qualified and experienced teachers are there in the School, specially Montessori Directresses.
Q. What is the best way to choose a Montessori school for my child?
A. Ask what kind of training the teachers have. Visit the school, observe the classroom in action, and later ask the teacher or principal to explain the theory behind the activities you see. Most of all, talk to your child’s prospective teacher about his or her philosophy of child development and education to see if it is compatible with your own.
Why Montessori Education Is Important For Kids?
When a child is born, it is our responsibility to take best care of the most precious gift from the God, which he has bestowed i.e. our love, care and most importantly a child friendly environment.
A child starts to learn from the very first day of his life or to be more precise learning process starts right from the mother’s womb. God has given such extremely sharp mind to the human beings. This beautiful creation of God needs to be held with special love and care, which can be provided by giving him an environment to which he can adapt easily.
A child has an absorbent mind which takes in everything which comes in its way, no matter good or bad, therefore it is our duty to see and expose him to what we think is right. As Maria Montessori says “The things he sees are not just remembered; they form a part of his soul”.
After home, a good Montessori environment is the best place for a 2 year old kid. Why? Because a Montessori has everything which a child needs at this stage of his life. This Montessori environment meets the basic needs of a child which is to work independently. A child is a complete man who needs to be given a chance to help himself become an independent individual.
A child has an inner urge to experience life which he wants to do without being disturbed by anyone. A trained Montessori Directress knows how to go about doing it. She gives all the liberty to her students while keeping an eye on them and let them enjoy doing their work. Maria Montessori says “When dealing with children there is greater need for observing than of probing”.
Education is a natural process carried out by the child and is not acquired by listening to words but by experiencing Montessori environment. Therefore a Montessori environment is the best place for a child in order to give a good start to the coming years of his life.