QUESTIONS FREQUENTLY ASKED BY PARENTS
What is the difference between Montessori and classical education?
Before the age of 6, Montessori emphasizes learning through the five senses, and not just by listening, observation, or reading. Children in Montessori classes learn at their own pace and according to their own choice of activities from hundreds of possibilities.
They are not required to sit and listen to a speech from the teacher addressed to them as a whole, but are engaged in individual activities or small groups, with material introduced to them by the teacher who knows what each child is ready for. Learning is an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning.
Beyond the age of 6, children learn to do independent research, organize field visits, collect information, interview specialists, create group presentations, plays, art exhibitions, music productions, science projects, and so on. Their creation, within this intelligently guided freedom, is not limited. There are no textbooks, no group classes led by an adult and no daily schedule. The children’s choice is respected. They will easily do or exceed what they would do in a more traditional setting. There is no time wasting and children thrive in their work and studies. Children teach each other lessons. They share their knowledge and become role models for each other without any rivalry.
Why choose Montessori pedagogy for my child?
The Montessori child gets to know himself as a human being. He develops his physical, emotional, social, psychological and academic capacities. The child is happy and in harmony with himself and his surroundings. He learns to be autonomous and to have confidence in himself in order to build and be able to start his life.
How do we evaluate children when there are no grades?
The role of the educator is to accompany the child, to give him confidence without judging him by giving him grades.
The assessment is not done by the adult but by the child at any time during his or her learning. The material is scientifically designed to allow the child to correct himself. The child is free to repeat the work as many times until he or she is completely satisfied and has acquired the concept so that he or she can move on to the next one. Helping others is part of his own learning, helping others builds his confidence.
