| 1. |
Why
should I send my
child to Preschool? |
|
Most
educators and psychologists
today agree that the single most important period in the development of
a person's intelligence occurs between birth and age five. A child's
mind
is extremely absorbent and his curiosity is at a peak during these
early
years. When properly nourished and stimulated the child's mind forms
patterns
for learning that serve him well throughout his life. The Montessori
system
of preschool education has proven to be one of the most effective and
fastest
growing methods to guide child through these critical times. |
| 2. |
What is
the difference
between Day Care, Nursery School & Preschool? |
|
Day Care
Centers are generally
for the purpose of caring for children on an all-day basis. Nursery
Schools
are generally experience in socialization and play. Preschools are
oriented
toward educational experiences combined with socialization and play. |
| 3. |
How is
a Montessori Preschool
different from other Preschools? |
|
In most
preschools the children
are taught educational concepts in a group by a teacher. In a
Montessori
Preschool the children learn concepts spontaneously as they work
independently
with many materials in the environment. |
| 4. |
What is
the Montessori
Method of Education? |
|
The
Montessori Method of
Education is basically a unique approach to learning. Rather than
"teaching"
the child concepts, an environment is designed to stimulate the child's
interest and facilitate his understanding and learning capacities
spontaneously--with
little or no adult intervention. |
| 5. |
What is
the purpose of
the Montessori Method? |
|
The main
purpose of the
Montessori method is to develop an environment where the child can
unfold
spontaneously and manifest the greater person within. According to
Maria
Montessori, "The child is the father of the man." As the child begins
to
develop this inner self, his love of life and learning expands
continuously. |
| 6. |
Who
started the Montessori
Method? |
|
Dr. Maria
Montessori, over
90 years ago, was Italy's first woman medical doctor. Using her
scientific
background, she began observing children in the children's houses of
Rome.
Based on her unbiased observations she developed unique materials, a
child
centered environment, and was one of the first persons to revolutionize
educational thought by stressing respect for the child, freedom of
expression,
self-education, and training through use of movement and the senses. |
| 7. |
What is
in a Montessori
classroom? |
|
The
Montessori classroom
is a child-size world. Whatever is in the world outside can be
incorporated
meaningfully in the Montessori classroom. To a child, the world is
unmanageable
it is too big, too complex and too confusing. By careful selection of
materials
by the Directress, an environment is set up that allows the child to
explore
life in a level he can understand. The materials of exercises are
designed
to stimulate independent exploration. This prepared environment
entices
the child to proceed at his own pace from simple activities to more
complex
ones. Through this process the child's natural curiosity is satisfied
and
he begins to experience the joy of discovering the world about him.
Materials
and curriculum center around Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Math,
Geography, Science, Art, Music, Drama and Dance. |
| 8. |
How do
children interact
in the environment? |
|
As the
children develop
their sense of pride in their "work" a feeling of confidence, well
being
and joy begins to manifest itself in the child. A "new child" is born.
A classroom of Montessori children is a joy to watch. There seems to be
a spirit of respect, love and cooperation among the children that is
not
found too often. |
| 9. |
What is
the role of the
Montessori teacher? |
|
The
Montessori teacher is
called a directress because she facilitates the classroom activity. She
carefully plans the environment in the interests of the children and
she
helps the children progress from one activity to the next. She is
trained
to deal with each child individually allowing him to choose from many
activities
within his range of ability. She stands back while a child is working
and
allows him the satisfaction of his own discovery. |
| 10. |
With
all the freedom,
isn't there confusion? |
|
The
concept of freedom within
the classroom is one of freedom within limits. A child is allowed to
work
freely so long as he does not disturb others. Actually, the children
having
the freedom to follow their interests are generally happy and busily
involved
with their work. |
| 11. |
What is
the best age
to start a child? |
|
Maria
Montessori outlined
various periods of "sensitivity". During these times, a child is more
capable
of and interested in learning specific concepts. At age three a special
sense of order, concentration, coordination and independence begin to
emerge.
This time is ideal to begin a child's training in Montessori as he is
at
the perfect period to build a strong foundation for future learning. |
| 12. |
How do
Montessori children
adjust to public schools? |
|
Children
who have been in
Montessori environment are generally very flexible and adjust quite
easily
to the public school situation. They are generally better students and
spend their time in more productive ways because of their
self-direction
and positive attitude towards learning. |
| 13. |
Why is
a Montessori experience
for five days? |
|
The
Montessori classroom
experience is for five consecutive days in order to allow the
spontaneous
learning of the child to flow smoothly. A child taken in and out of
school
every other day does not have the same opportunity to pursue his
unfolding
interests. |
| 14. |
What
about socialization
and group work? |
|
Socialization
is very much
a part of the Montessori method. In the classroom you will notice
children
interacting continuously, choosing to work on projects together and
older
children helping younger ones. |
| 15. |
Who is
the Montessori
Method designed for? |
|
The
Montessori Method is
an "approach to learning" and as such has no distinction of class or
intelligence.
It has been used successfully in all parts of the world and in all
types
of programs, i.e., Headstart, gifted children, mentally retarded,
average
children etc. |
| 16. |
Isn't
Montessori expensive? |
|
Tuition in
Montessori preschool
throughout the country is sometimes higher than other preschool because
of extensive materials encompassing environment, curriculum and trained
staff. It is, however, a very reasonable cost in contrast to other
activities
you would plan for yourself and your child. It becomes a matter of what
you value most. To give your child the finest possible experience in
his
most sensitive years is to give him a strong foundation throughout his
life and probably ward off investment later to correct or remedy that
which
was missed. Many educators believe that it is wiser to invest in a
child's
preschool education than in his college education. The child who enjoys
learning and becomes self-directed at the critical preschool age will
benefit
through all his years of learning. The expense now is a profitable
long-term
investment. |
