- What is the Principle purpose of a Montessori school?
- Our primary aim is to assist in the total development of a child's
personality (social, emotional, intellectual, physical, etc.), so the
child will be better prepared to adapt to life and to adjust to the
changing conditions of his or her environment.
- Isn't a Montessori school primarily concerned with intellectual development?
- No. We are interested in the child's total development -- which, when
accomplished, does better equip the child for intellectual development.
- Why should a 3- to 5-year old be in a Montessori school rather than
at home?
- It would be difficult for most parents to provide as complete and
well organized a set of experiences as are available in a Montessori
classroom. It would also be difficult for most parents to devote as
much time to the child's individual requirements.
- Don't the children in a Montessori classroom miss out on social development?
- Actually, they are in a more meaningful social situation than they
are likely to find elsewhere. In going about their daily activities
in the classroom, they meet and talk with one another, discuss common
problems, correct each other's mistakes, answer questions, borrow and
lend, and help each other in many ways. Moreover, they often spontaneously
form into groups to carry out a task together. And the oldest children
are usually anxious to help out their less developed friends.
 What
is the difference between a Montessori school and a preschool?- This can't be given a simple answer, because there are so many types
of preschools (and also variations in Montessori schools.) Some preschools
are largely devoted to social development, or are merely baby-sitting
services. Others are interested more in aspects of the total development.
- Don't the children have too much freedom (no discipline)?
- Freedom is not undisciplined, unruly, selfish behavior. Three basic
rules guide the child's "freedom" in a Montessori classroom:
1. The child may not disturb other children.
2. The child must treat the materials with respect.
3. The child may only take materials from the shelf, not from another
child.
The child is free to move about and to select those materials which
interest her/him (provided the child has developed to the point of being
ready for them,) and the child is free to use the materials as long
as she/he wishes, (but the child should return them to their places
when she/he is finished.)
- Doesn't the 'set way' of doing things stifle creativity?
- What is creativity? Isn't it a reordering of knowledge and of one's
environment in a different and meaningful way? In order to do this,
a person must have a backlog of experiences in and information about
his environment -- which the sensorial and other materials in a Montessori
classroom provide. Moreover, the primary intent of Montessori is to
help the child in the most creative way possible -- the shaping of himself
toward the type of adult he will become.
- What makes a Montessori classroom noncompetitive?
- Each child works at her own level of ability and interest, and her
own pace, so competition isn't relevant. No two children's needs arise
at the same time or for the same length of time.
 Isn't
Montessori only for "bright 'children? - No, In fact, Dr. Montessori began her work with children who were,
at that time, termed "mentally deficient".
- I have heard that children often repeat the same activity over and
over again. Why?
- The child derives pleasure from repetition because it answers one
of the basic inner needs of man: the desire to gain mastery over his
movements, to refine and perfect them.
- Won't my child have difficulty adjusting to first grade in a regular
school after attending a Montessori school?
- Generally speaking, if the child has developed all aspects of her
personality she should have far less problems than a child without the
Montessori background. From our experience (and those of other Montessori
schools), most children adapt well. There is, of course, always a brief
period of transition -- as there is when going from Kindergarten to
first grade or changing schools.
- Forms and Information
- We invite you to call for an appointment to come in and observe our
classroom while it is in session -- it is the best way to see what Montessori
can offer your child. For more information, call 929-2672 or contact
us.
- Medical Permission form - for dispensing OTC and prescription drugs.
- Birthday Celebration - We celebrate each child's birthday!
2009-2010 Calendar of Events
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