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FAQ

1. What is the difference between Montessori and traditional education?

• The Montessori method does not see the education as a linear process where the most knowledge we are supposed to gain is when we go to college. According to Dr. Montessori, the development goes through planes of development where the successful completion of one plane leads to fulfillment of the next one;


• The Montessori education is child - centered and the directress is not a teacher but a guide who follows the child;


• The child is allowed to develop at his/her own pace;


• The self-discipline occurs naturally as well as development of the will;


• Montessori gives keys for life and not ready answers, which means it helps the children to explore, think and discover;


• Social skills develop together with independence;


• Montessori followed the natural human tendencies and based her method of education on learning through exploring, experiencing through senses and manipulating with hands.

2. What are the Sensitive periods?
In her book “The Secret of Childhood”, Dr. Montessori compares sensitive periods to a flame and says they are ‘intrinsic to life’. The Sensitive periods overlap and coincide; they can be parallel or can vary in length. They are found only during development and they cannot be found in the adult. If we do not provide for a certain sensitive period and it passes then we cannot return because it is lost forever.
The sensitive periods are most in number and most obvious during the First Plane of development. There are sensitive periods for: language, order, refinement of senses, and movement.

3. What does Absorbent Mind mean and what is its role in child’s development and education?
In her book “The Absorbent Mind”, Dr. Montessori says, ‘Our work as adults does not consist in teaching, but in helping the infant mind in its work of development.’
The Absorbent Mind discovered by Dr. Montessori is undoubtedly revolutionary and can change completely the approach to education. What we all should realize is how important the absorbent mind is and that the first years of our life are crucial for our existence as adults. The absorbent mind is a unique kind of mentality that allows the child to absorb knowledge quickly and effortlessly. The child absorbs everything from the environment during his first years after birth and that is why the first plane of development is of main importance. During this period, the child has a different kind of mind. It does not matter whether what he absorbs is simple or complex because the child puts the same effort.

4. If the children do not continue their education in a Montessori school after their 6 year, will they lose what they have learned?
Not only they will not lose what they have learned, but also they will do better. Montessori children are well-behaved, disciplined, creative and flexible. The first years of children’s lives are the most important because this is when they start building their personalities, learn effortlessly and gain most of their knowledge that they will gain for the rest of their lives. The Montessori environment is prepared to meet all their needs and the knowledge, experience, and skills they gain during these first years of development cannot be forgotten.

5. What is the guide’s role in the classroom?
Dr. Montessori saw the adult in the children’s house as a directress of a new type who “instead of facility in speech, she has to acquire the power of silence; instead of teaching, she has to observe; instead of the proud dignity of one who claims to be infallible, she assumes the vesture of humility.” (The Advanced Montessori Method, vol.1) The Montessori adult is an observant as well as servant of the child’s spirit and thus when she sees its manifestations answering her faith; she reaches the level of joy and love at which she has never been before. Only a prepared adult, who has faith in the method, in the children and in herself and applies the method in its totality, can help the child on his path to independence.

6. Why observation has an important role in the Montessori Method?
The goal of observation is on one hand to comprehend the needs of the children and respond to them and on the other, to help to remove the obstacles that children face in their growth and development.Dr. Montessori made all her discoveries about children through observation.
Observation is the ‘cornerstone’ and ‘the source of the vital and developmental power’ of Dr. Montessori’s work and ‘animates the love which flows through it. ’ (Joosten, A.M.), Dr. Montessori says, ‘Observation itself is an art and has to be exercised. It is not easy. We must free ourselves from so much prejudice especially with regard to the child. Observation does not judge, much less pre-judge.’ (Montessori M., The Formation of Man). Observation is a capacity acquired through practice.

7. Who is the Montessori approach suitable for?
Montessori is suitable for everyone. Whether the children are gifted, have or do not have challenges in development, Montessori helps them.

8. Why Montessori materials should be presented by a trained adult?
The dynamic link between the children and the environment is the trained adult. This is when the child can benefit most from the method.
There is a certain sequence and requirements for presenting a Montessori material. If the directress (the guide) does not understand the theory behind each activity and has not gone through his own transformation and training, s/he will not be able to provide for the child’s developmental needs.

9. Is it true that the children have only individual presentations and how do they develop social skills?
Children do not have only individual presentations. There are small group presentations as well. Every day after the 3-hour work cycle the children have circle time when they play together, read a book, sing a song or learn a poem. They play together outside, they have extra curriculum activities, sports and games together. Children also do gardening together. There are plenty of opportunities to develop social skills also during snack or lunch time.

10. Do parents participate in their children’s school life and how?
We believe that working together with the parents leads to best results in education. Parents are involved through our Parents Involvement committee, volunteering, celebrating holidays and birthdays together, organizing filed-trips. Parents are also welcome to observe in the classroom. We schedule parents reading days when you can come and read to the children for 20 mins.
Parents are encouraged to tell the children about interesting customs and traditions and to organize and participate in art projects.

11. Is it true that the children are always free to do what they want?
Yes and no. They are certain freedoms as well as limitations in the Montessori classroom.
For example, the children can work with materials by their choice but only if they have been shown those materials.