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Are the children given homework in a Montessori school?

Homework is not required in a Montessori school. First of all, children can’t use Montessori materials at home, and most homework means working with worksheets and textbooks, which is not usually used in Montessori education. Secondly, the nature of learning in Montessori school (interactive, child-centered and material-handling) is so beneficial for children that they do not need homework for the learning exercise to be maintained and sustained. 

Some teachers, however, agree to give children homework, especially reading - to read one story a day and possibly make a short reading sheet. Also, when the child gets to work abstractly, without materials, they give as homework simple exercises that favor the habituation of the mind with the exercise in the abstract.

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Will children have difficulties transitioning to the traditional system after Montessori education?

The habits and skills that children acquired in a Montessori class remain active throughout their lives. Montessori children are usually adaptable, working well alone or in groups. They can make their own decisions, they have problem-solving skills and organize their time well. As Montessori children are encouraged to share ideas and discuss their work, being in a new situation is easier due to of their communication skills.

For the transfer of the child to a traditional school, our school completes the transcript with the equivalence in grades of the knowledge of each child. The child's portfolio is also added.

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Are Montessori children sufficiently prepared for national exams?

Montessori children can successfully take national exams. It is the teacher's responsibility to ensure that students are prepared to solve problems in the style of the tests required by the Ministry of Education.

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Why are Montessori classes formed on three age levels?

Maria Montessori observed that the development of the human being is not linear, but is realized in a succession of transformations, it takes various forms and goes through stages of development (both physically and mentally). 

Every three years or so after birth, the baby moves on to another stage of development. Therefore, in these three years the children have the same general characteristics, they are subject to the same internal laws of growth imposed by human nature, regardless of the geographical area, culture or climate in which they live. That is why in Montessori classes children are grouped on three age levels (0 - 3 years, 3 - 6 years, 6 - 9 years, 9 - 12 years and 12 - 15 years). 

Mixed-age groups allow each child to follow their own pace of development from a social, intellectual and emotional point of view, without being subjected to external pressures designed to unjustifiably force the natural evolution. 

 In a Montessori environment, the little ones learn from the big ones, and the big ones feel responsible and have the joy of sharing what they know with the little ones as well - this creates a group cohesion based on understanding and respect.

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Given the mixed-age groups, my eight-year-old will spend the entire year caring for a younger child

In a Montessori class, older children often help younger children who ask for their help and thus,  strengthen their own knowledge. Anyone who has tried to teach someone something knows that the process of explaining a new concept helps you to understand yourself better. The act of teaching someone else helps to form leadership qualities and strengthens self-confidence. However, older children spend most of their time on their own. 

Maria Montessori believed in the development potential of each person. But Montessori education may not suit all families.

A positive experience for the child requires that both the school and the parents share the same vision of the purpose of education. Ideally, a child signed up in a Montessori program should have continuity, so they can maximize their development. It is necessary that when recruiting, the school ensures that the parents understand the Montessori philosophy, the mission and the objectives of the school. Parents should be encouraged to ask even the most difficult questions and talk openly about their restraints, just as they talk about goals. The school wants the family to know why Montessori is the best option for children, but it will not expect all families to share the same point of view.

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How does Montessori work for children entering this system at the age of 4?

Montessori education is built on stages of development. The experiences of the child in the first stage influence the development of the next stage. Therefore, the curriculum for each group involves strengthening the experience of the previous stage.

The Montessori program usually recruits children under 4 years of age to successfully meet their abilities. The integrity of the program is positively influenced if most children have a continuous Montessori experience, from the age of 3 years. In such an organized program, older children with no Montessori experience can be successfully admitted.

When an older child is admitted, it is important to discover his motivation and their parents’. Any kind of report or characterization from the previous school can be very useful to understand the child's experience. If there were problems in the old school, this should be discussed in the smallest detail. Montessori is not a universal cure for all problems. There is a possibility that many children who were not happy at the previous school will be very satisfied in a Montessori school. The key is that teachers, parents and the child to have realistic expectations and to cooperate to make the transition to the new school easier.

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If my child chooses on his own the activities, will he not be tempted to work with the same materials?

No, because the teacher observes the children's activities. When the child has acquired a skill, he presents a new lesson that challenges him more, depending on the age and the interest of the child. Due to the attractive and stimulating  environment, it is very rare to find children who do nothing. The teacher guides the children to achieve a balance between language activities, mathematics and other curricular areas.

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Are Montessori schools denominational schools?

There are Montessori schools, like any other schools, that operate under the auspices of a church, synagogue or diocese, but most Montessori schools are independent.

Montessori School of Bucharest is an independent school, not affiliated with any religion.

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Is the Montessori method against competition?

In a Montessori environment, children are encouraged to learn to cooperate rather than compete against each other. Students discover their innate abilities and thus end up with independence, self-confidence and self-discipline. The Montessori environment allows each child to learn at their own pace, to strive for improvement and to understand the mistake as part of the learning process.

Children naturally compete against each other, during playtime and in class. Dr. Montessori agreed with the competition in principle, but did not promote artificial competition to motivate children to succeed. Children learn because they are curious and interested, therefore, the learning process has a strong and profound impact on them. Dr. Montessori lets the competition occur naturally among students. Each student has the freedom to compete with others but they aren’t pushed to be competitive through mandatory competitions and competitive activities.