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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What key differences does Montessori Education have over other educational approaches?
   

   Devised by Dr Maria Montessori (one of the most influential pioneers in the field of early childhood education), the Montessori method of education emphasizes the following key areas:

   1. Freedom to learn within a carefully planned and structured environment.

   2. An effective, uniquely designed and progressive learning system (from concrete to abstract), which caters to the "sensitive periods" of each child.

   3. An integrated hands-on life skills (with cultural inputs) learning methodology supported within a designed "child-sized" environment.

2. Why should Montessori fees be higher compared to those of other educational approaches?
   

   Firstly, with reference to 1b) & 1c) above, the teacher-to-child, or in this case directress-to-child ratio, within a Montessori
   environment is kept within 1:6 to 1:12 compared to other systems which generally have ratios of around 1:24. 

   The lower teacher-to-child-ratio in Montessori education is necessary as each directress is required to conduct regular observations and frequent 1-to-1 learning demonstrations pitched at the individual child's capability as well as during their "sensitive periods". This is unlike a "forced" group-training session common to other educational systems.

   To also achieve the objectives in 1a) & 1c) above, the centre provides comprehensive Montessori equipment and teaching aids as well as creates a conducive "child-sized" environment to support the individual child's learning.

3. Will my child be well prepared and adjusted for Primary One, in the mainstream system?
   

   At Character Montessori, all K2 classes will progressively transit (from 3rd term onwards) into a more rigid learning regime
   (more worksheet based learning) within a classroom setting arranged to simulate class scenarios comparable to those of most actual Primary One classes. As children are highly adaptable, rest assured that your child will be suitably and sufficiently prepared for Primary One.

4. What is Character Montessori?
   

   At Character Montessori, our character development programme is seamlessly integrated within the Montessori training framework to equip children not only for academic excellence but also to gain foundational character qualities such as attentiveness, gratefulness and so on, which are necessary for true success in life.

   COMPARISION OF MONTESSORI CLASS WITH TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM

   Montessori	Traditional
   Teacher has an unobtrusive role in class as the facilitator.	Teacher is at the centre of classroom as the controller.
   Environment and method encourage self discipline	Teacher acts as primary enforcer of discipline.
   Mainly individual instruction.	Mainly group instruction.
   Mixed age group.	Same age grouping.
   Child chooses own work (within the structured scope) and progress is monitored by teacher.	Teacher assigns work to child.
   Child discovers own concepts from self-teaching, self-correcting materials.	Child is shown concepts by teacher.
   Child sets own learning pace.	Instructions pace usually set by group norm.
   Child reinforces own learning by repetition of work and internal feeling of success.	If work is corrected, errors are pointed out or praises comes from the teacher.
   Multi-sensory materials for physical exploration.	Few, but increasingly more.
   Organised programme for learning care of self and environment.	Care of self and environment left primarily to parents.