FAQs

WHERE DID MONTESSORI COME FROM?
Montessori (pronounced MON-tuh-SORE-ee) education was founded in 1907 by Dr. Maria Montessori, the first woman in Italy to become a physician. She based her educational methods on scientific observation of children’s learning processes. Guided by her discovery that children teach themselves, Dr. Montessori designed a “prepared environment” in which children could freely choose from a number of developmentally appropriate activities. Now, nearly a century after Maria Montessori’s first Casa dei Bambini (“Children’s House”) in Rome, Montessori education is found all over the world, spanning ages from birth to adolescence.

WHAT'S DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MONTESSORI AND TRADITIONAL EDUCATION?
This is a difficult question to answer in a paragraph, and probably best explained by asking you to come and visit a classroom in action. There you will see students moving around, working collaboratively. The teacher will be less obvious and will probably spend her day working more wone on one and in small groups with students. Respect is paramount and many lessons are given to help children manage emotions, develop social skills and understand their importance through our interconnectedness as humans on this planet. There should be an atmosphere of ‘busy-calm’ an oxy-moron that has to be seen to be believed!

IS IT TRUE THAT MONTESSORI TECAHERS DO NOT MARK STUDENT'S WORK?
No work is returned to students with red marks and corrections to figure out by themselves. Instead the child’s effort and work is respected as it is. Teachers work one on one with students through the marking process to support each individual student's learning journeys. The teacher, through extensive observation and record-keeping, plans individual projects to enable each child to learn what he needs in order to improve.

IS MONTESSORI INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED?
There are thousands of Montessori schools all over the world. Internationally Montessori
has always been at the forefront alternative education. It is the education system of
choice for those are looking for a truly global education where students are respected and nurtured to become true citizens of the world.

ARE MONTESSORI SCHOOLS RELIGIOUS?
Some are, but most are not. Some Montessori schools, just like other schools, operate under the auspices of a church, synagogue, or diocese, but most are independent of any religious affiliation. Montessori schools that do offer religious instruction will advertise as such. The Montessori Academy and College does not offer religious teaching, but does explore the tenets of the world's religions as the students show interest (usually only around Senior Primary/ Middle School age).

WHAT SPECIAL TRAINING DO MONTESSORI TEACHERS HAVE?
The Montessori Academy and College is proud to have a training centre wing, namely, Montessori Centre South Africa, which offers authentic Montessori training for both pre and primary school teachers. The Centre aims to fully prepare Montessori teachers for the intensive and fulfilling work with a classroom of students using the Montessori method. There are currently no local options for Montessori training at adolescent level, but all teachers in these environments have teaching degrees and in-house training pertaining to the Montessori pedagogy.

ARE MONTESSORI CHILDREN SUCCESSFUL LATER IN LIFE?
Research studies show that Montessori children are well prepared for later life academically, socially, and emotionally. In addition to scoring well on normative testing, students who have had the advantage of a Montessori education from the age of three are often ranked above average on such criteria as following directions, listening attentively, using basic skills, showing responsibility, asking provocative questions, showing enthusiasm for learning, and adapting to new situations. Parents are directed to Angeline Stoll Lillard's book, Montessori, The Sciences Behind the Genius which explores this question extensively.

DO THE MONTESSORI MATERIALS ALLOW FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CREATIVITY?
The materials teach specific concepts, that is true. It is however once the concepts have been understood and further exploration and investigation of the materials is allowed, that true creativity comes to the fore. Creativity is not about all the children painting the same thing at the same time and then sticking up 25 images that all look roughly the same onto the classroom walls. True creativity brings forth unique expression that the student shares in individualistic and exceptional ways.