Frequently Asked Questions:

Who is Montessori?

Dr. Maria Montessori was the first woman physician in Italy. She graduated from medical school in 1896 and began the "Casa di Bambini" in 1906 in Rome. Her method is based upon observing natural patterns of child behavior unassisted by adults. She used the idea that, with guidance, children teach themselves.

What is a Montessori school?

A Montessori school is a special place for the child to learn by freely exploring his/her environment; hence, fostering self-discipline and independence from within.

What is the adult to child ratio at Montessori By The Sea?

In the Toddler class, the adult to child ratio is 1 to 5, and in the Preschool/Kindergarden class, the ratio is 1 to 10.

What is the role of the teacher in a Montessori environment?

In a Montessori environment, the role of the teacher is to observe, guide and direct the children, as stimulation for learning comes from the environment as a whole. Each teacher has been trained to recognize individual periods of readiness.

Why mixed-age groups?

Dr. Montessori firmly believed in having mixed-age groups. Having children in the same environment with different ages "…permit the younger children with a graded series of models for imitation, and the older ones an opportunity to reinforce their own knowledge by helping the younger ones."