Frequently Asked Questions about Montessori

What is Montessori?

Montessori is a philosophy named after its creator, Dr. Maria Montessori, with the fundamental tenet that a child learns best within a social environment that supports each individual's unique development.

Visit the Montessori web site to learn more about Dr. Maria Montessori.

What are the premises of the Montessori Education?

Children are to be respected as different from adults and as individuals who are different from one another.
Children create themselves through purposeful activity.
The most important years for learning are from birth to age six.
Children possess unusual sensitivity and mental powers for absorbing and learning from their environment.

What is the difference between Montessori Education and the Traditional Education?

See the article titled Montessori vs. Traditional Education

What makes the Montessori Education unique?

The primary goal of a Montessori program is to help each child reach full potential in all areas of life. Activities promote the development of social skills, emotional growth, and physical coordination, as well as cognitive preparation.This is accomplished by making the classroom a " specially prepared environment" with specific Montessori materials appropriate to each age level (Primary or Elementary).

How does it work?

Each Montessori class operates on the principle of freedom within limits. Every program has its set of ground rules which differs from age to age, but is always based on core Montessori beliefs; respect for each other and for the environment.

Children are free to work at their own pace with materials they have chosen, either alone or with others. The teacher relies on her observations of the children to determine which new activities and materials she may introduce to an individual child or to a small or large group. The aim is to encourage learning and independence and strike a balance of individual mastery with small group collaboration within the whole group community.

Why do the classrooms consist of children with a three-year age span?

Montessori believed learning should occur in multi-age classrooms where children at various stages of development learn from and with each other.This three-year age span in each class provides a grouping much like the age span of siblings within a family. More experienced children share what they have learned while reinforcing their own knowledge.Her developmental approach was designed to fit each child instead of making each child fit the program.This ensures that everyone can move at their own pace, and not be held back developmentally or academically.

Ivy League Montessori School
"...where every child is honored."

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1791 Kelly Mill Road, Cumming GA 30040
Phone: (770) 781-5586
Email: ilmsnet@comcast.net
Fax: (770) 205-7180