Frequently Asked Questions
The question that many Montessori parents of four years olds ask themselves is: Why spend precious family resources on one more year of Montessori when we can enroll our child in a local kindergarten program for free? It's a fair question, and its deserves careful consideration. Every family circumstances are different, and it not necessarily finances.
Every Montessori administrator can cite examples of how families of modest means go to extraordinary lengths to keep their children in Montessori.
Here are a few answers to some of the questions parents often ask about Montessori for their kindergarten child.
Q: What is the most important short term-disadvantage of sending my five year old to the local schools?
When a Montessori child transfers into such a program, there is a period of adjustment, and most kindergarten have very different expectations for five years olds than Montessori programs. The kindergarten year in Montessori is a critical component of the three-year cycle. It is a year when their earlier experiences are internalized and reinforced. When children leave Montessori before kindergarten, many of their earlier learning experiences may be lost because they are non reinforced or completely understood.
Q: What is the most important advantage of keeping my five year old in Montessori?
Montessori at every level excels at teaching children to "learn how to learn". It is a system that is focused on teaching for understanding, using concrete materials to prepare children to future abstract academic skills. It is these sensorial impressions that become the foundation for a lifetime of understanding.
Q: How will the multi-age grouping of a Montessori classroom affect my kindergarten child's ability to do her work?
It is true that five years old in Montessori classes often help younger children with their work, actually teaching lessons or correcting errors. Research shows that when children teach or coach one another, both children benefit. Usually, "the teacher" learns as much, and sometimes more than the person being taught.
Q: Since my child will eventually end up in a neighborhood school, isn't it better to make the transition in kindergarten?
By the end of the kindergarten year, Montessori students will often have developed academic skills that may be beyond those of children enrolled in most American kindergarten programs; however, parents should remember that academic progress is not our ultimate goal.
Our real hope that children will have an incredible sense of self-confidence, enthusiasm for learning, and feelings of being closely bonded to their teachers and classmates. We want them to enjoy school and feel good about themselves as a students.
Once these children have developed these internal skills, they normally can adapt to all sorts of new situations. When the time comes for them to go off to their new school, they will take with them not only a vibrant curiosity but also an excitement about making new friends and learning new things. The kindergarten year is an important element to this process.
Q: My friend told me that Montessori allows a child to do whatever he wants to do, for as long as he wants to do it. Is it true?
At the beginning of the school year, the child who is attending school for the first time will be allowed to choose their activities. Children are not allowed to do whatever they fell like. When the child is ready to participate in group activities, slowly the teacher will limit the choices. The children are not allowed to do whatever they like to do in a Montessori environment. Instead, the children will have several choices.
Q: How do you handle discipline problems?
"Non-violence towards the child is the basis and the path of education."
Dr. Maria Montessori
This organization believes, that there should be a match between home and school discipline, If there is a wide gap between the beliefs of the parents and this Evergreen Montessori House, then the child can get confused. So the parents will be informed at the time of admission about the discipline policy of the organization.
Teachers will maintain a decent amount of order as they help the children towards self-discipline. The teachers will protect a child from another child, who does not yet have sufficient self-control. The teachers must maintain a discipline, so that all children feel safe.
A child who is temporarily troublesome or disruptive will be asked to leave the group and to have a period of “time out” in the library of the school. Any form of physical punishment and verbal abuse is prohibited. The parents should have the primary responsibilities in disciplining their child. Any serious behavioral problem must be dealt with promptly with the help of the parents. If a serious problem cannot be solved within two weeks after having a conference with the respective parent(s) and the Director of Evergreen Montessori House, then the student may be dismissed from this pre-school. The Director o Evergreen Montessori House will gibe a written notice to the respective parent(s), before taking any action. In all circumstances, the decision of the Director is final.
Q: How do the children learn to socialize and share?
Socialize & Share:
Children are encouraged to socialize and play together. Initially some children might have some problem in socializing with other children. If there is any problem in socializing, the teacher will try to find a “buddy” for the new student. With the help of the “buddy”, the new student will try to socialize with other students.
Sharing:
The students taught to share by sharing toys or working on the same puzzle together.
Q: How do I know if a school is a "true" Montessori School?
Socialize & Share:
Check the training to the Director. Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) has the most rigorous teacher’s training program. Normally AMI program is a postgraduate program. Dr. Maria Montessori herself also founded AMI. Most of other Montessori training programs are either summer or corresponding courses.
Q: Where can I get more information on the Montessori Method?
Socialize & Share:
Please, check the link to the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) .
Work Citied:
Kindergarten&Beyond-or Why My Children Spent Ten Years in Montessori When All I Thought I Wanted Was a Preschool!!! by Joyce St. Giermaine
|
