1. Montessori looks like a bit of a free-for-all where children choose when and what to study. What about discipline?
One of the basic principles of a Montessori education is freedom within limits. Children learn best through self-directed learning, so Montessori children are given more freedom of choice than in traditional settings. Montessori schools also follow a curriculum, with specific materials and activities where teachers prepare the learning environment and provide the necessary structure, support and feedback.
2. How do children with learning challenges cope in such a loose environment?
Maria Montessori initially worked with children who had learning difficulties in Rome in 1900 and led them to do as well academically as other students of the same age. She argued that development of the child can be fostered through engaging with self-directed activities in a prepared learning environment.
A great example where the impact of a quality Montessori education can be seen is in a local Montessori pre-school that caters for children where 60% have a form of fetal alcohol syndrome and are making tremendous progress on all fronts.
3. I am concerned my child’s tertiary study options will be limited?
Our High School students follow the globally-recognised Cambridge curriculum, accepted by top universities worldwide.
4. They never write exams so how do I know they are getting an education?
Formative assessment is actually part of the Montessori teacher’s daily routine, with each child’s progress being observed, assessed and recorded on an ongoing basis to determine whether lessons are understood and how well information is processed.
Summative assessments in the form of tests may occasionally be used (generally at the end of a 3-year cycle), but grades are not shared with learners and are mainly used by teachers as a diagnostic tool. High School learners are assessed both formatively and summatively in preparation for their Cambridge exams.
5. If my child is sporty, wouldn’t they be better off in a mainstream school?
We offer team sports such as football and netball, as well as lifestyle sports, such as mountain biking, surfing and trail running. We are also piloting the first Montessori Sports programme, in collaboration with Cruyff Football, which forms part of the curriculum. This gives children a different context where similar principles learned in the classroom can be applied.
6. Montessori likes to mix ages; don’t the younger ones feel inadequate?
Multi-age classrooms, where children remain in the same environment for three years, is one of the features that makes a Montessori school unique. Children learn to collaborate with learners older and younger than themselves and to respect each other’s strengths, ideas and points of view. Older children grow in confidence by acting as mentors, and younger children are very receptive to learning from their older peers.
7. Montessori sounds idyllic but how do you prepare adolescents for the real world?
In addition to core academic disciplines, our Montessori Adolescent Programme includes practical outdoor and entrepreneurial activities, where leaners have the opportunity to apply concepts such as market research, product development and financial literacy in a real setting, helping to prepare them for the real world.
8. The world is very tech focused. Not something I associate with Montessori?
One of the hottest topics in education is how to prepare our children for the future. Although being able to engage with technology effectively is an integral part of our lives, what will truly set us apart is a well-developed set of “soft skills” such as a self-awareness, critical thinking, creativity and entrepreneurship, curiosity, leadership skills and the ability to collaborate effectively. We are already seeing how these skills are becoming increasingly sought-after and precious qualities in today’s technologically advancing world.
9. How will a Montessori education impact my child’s way of thinking?
In the current knowledge economy, the focus of education needs to shift to processes (how to learn, critical evaluation of new data, application of concepts, solving problems and collaboration). Montessori classrooms are highly prepared, beautiful environments that encourage self-directed learning and discovery through specially designed learning materials. We don’t teach what to think; we teach how to think.