Top 10 Questions Parents Ask About Montessori Education (I)

“The universe is an imposing reality and an answer to all questions. We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are part of the universe and are connected with each other to form one whole unity”
– Maria Montessori.

You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers!

Here are the top 10 questions parents tend to ask about Montessori Education.

Question #1: Isn’t Montessori Education Only for the Elite?

Many people consider Montessori’s educational method to be exclusively for the elite or wealthy. However, in fact, the pioneering educational method developed by Maria Montessori has a far more humble beginning. In 1907, Maria Montessori opened her first school, Casa dei Bambini, to keep underprivileged children off the streets of San Lorenzo, an impoverished part of Rome.

Question #2: According to Montessori, You Should Never Tell Children What to Do/Not to Do, Right?

The misconception that Montessori children are always allowed to do “whatever they want” is a common one. In truth, discipline is an integral part of every Montessori classroom, with the ultimate goal to teach children to regulate themselves. It is important to understand that self-discipline is not a skill that is learned overnight; rather it is the result of many years of development.

Question #3: Do Montessori Schools Discourage Children from Using their Imaginations?

Many parents have heard that Montessori schools discourage the use of creativity, fantasy, and imagination. This is an unfortunate and inaccurate generalization of what Maria Montessori was actually teaching us. She did not discourage children from engaging in make-believe play. Rather, she observed that children under the age of six parents preferred “real” to fantasy when given the choice. She watched as, time after time, young children chose cleaning, cooking, and other practical life activities over fantasy play.

Question #4: Will my Child Learn Social Skills in the Montessori Classroom?

The Montessori Method does foster independence through individual work. Children under six years old often choose to spend much of their time working by themselves. However, the Montessori Method also places great importance on the strong development of social skills. Montessori schools teach children how to be courteous, polite, and respectful according to the customs of their local culture. Children in the Montessori setting are encouraged to express their feelings politely and to show respect toward adults and peers.

Question #5: How Will My Child Adjust to Traditional School after being in a Montessori School?

One of the most common questions parents ask is how will my child fare when he or she transitions from Montessori school into traditional school? Whether it be kindergarten, college or somewhere in between, most Montessori students will eventually switch to another type of school. Parents worry that children accustomed to learning through the Montessori Method will struggle to adapt to different schools and classrooms. The truth of the matter is that everyone’s life involves change. And this is actually a good thing, as long as you are equipped with the necessary coping tools and skills. The Montessori Method is all about developing such coping tools through building confidence, independence, and problem-solving skills. As a result, most Montessori students are actually more adaptable than their non-Montessori peers.

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