FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Waterdown Montessori School
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- How is WMS different from other Montessori schools?
- What kind of specialized classes are offered at WMS?
- Is WMS tuition tax deductible?
- When can my child start?
Frequently Asked Questions about Montessori Education
- How is Montessori different from the public or parochial school systems?
- Is Montessori expensive?
- Why should I pay for Montessori preschool when we can enroll our child in public school kindergarten for free?
- At what age should a Montessori education begin?
- What is the teacher’s role in a Montessori classroom?
- How is a Montessori class structured?
- Does Montessori education continue past the preschool years?
Frequently Asked Questions about Waterdown Montessori School
- How is WMS different from other Montessori schools?
- What kind of specialized classes are offered at WMS?
- Is WMS tuition tax deductible?
- When can my child start?
Our school has a French Programme for both CASA and Elementary levels taught by qualified French teachers. Our school has a music programme for both CASA and elementary that is taught by an experienced musician.
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Our school is a licensed private school operating under the Ontario Ministry of Education. For dependents up to the age of Senior Kindergarten, 100% of tuition is tax deductible.
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The CASA program accepts students as young as 2.9 years. We also now offer a Montessori Toddler program beginning at 18 months. Children age 6 with previous Montessori education are eligible for the elementary program.
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Our school employs in each class a teacher who holds Montessori certification approved by the Montessori Accreditation Committee of Teacher Education. This is not necessarily the case when a school decides to use “Montessori” in its name. Often times preschools or private schools will purchase a few pieces of Montessori materials and call themselves a “Montessori” school. At WMS, you can be assured that not only are Montessori-developed learning materials used, but also that the students will benefit from them fully with the guidance of genuine, certified Montessori instructors.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Montessori Education
- How is Montessori different from the public or parochial school systems?
The Montessori approach differs from other academic options in terms of educational philosophy, classroom atmosphere and the teacher-student relationship. The Montessori approach is child-centered in that it challenges individuals to develop to their maximum potential. Each child progresses at her own pace and is not held back or pushed ahead for the sake of the rest of the class. Read more about the Montessori approach.
The curriculum is not limited to the age or grade level of the child. Children learn directly from other children and the environment, not just from the teacher. Read more about the Montessori classroom.
In Montessori, the teacher does not lecture to the class using a blackboard. The teacher works with one child at a time, or with very small groups. Read more about the teacher’s role in Montessori education.
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An accredited Montessori school does have the extra expense of keeping classrooms equipped with specially designed Montessori educational materials and hiring teachers with specialized training from Montessori accredited institutions. At WMS, despite the fact that we have and continue to invest heavily in genuine Montessori materials and hire the best, most qualified Montessori-Accredited teachers available, we are able to keep costs lower than many private school alternatives.
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Some benefits of a Montessori preschool education over the public kindergarten system are obvious:
- The Child-Centered Montessori approach
- The individual attention provided by a Montessori-Trained Teacher
- The proven benefits of the concrete Montessori Learning Activities.
But you should also take into consideration the advantages of the Three-Year Cycle in Montessori as it relates to the preschool program. Children start younger than in the public school system, and by the time they reach the third year (age 4.5 to 5.5), they are more fully prepared to take advantage of the scientifically-verified “sensitive period” when certain skills and understandings are learned more easily than in any other time in life. Read more about how the three-year cycle helps children maximize their early learning potential.
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A big part of the Montessori approach involves laying a proper foundation to maximize lifetime learning opportunities. Early childhood researchers have found that an “explosion” of learning occurs at about age five. But Maria Montessori sensed, and later proved scientifically, that the learning process begins much earlier.
That’s why the three-year Montessori preschool programme ideally begins at age 2.9 to three. This provides an opportunity to focus on developing motor skills, sharpening the senses and developing independence and self-motivation before the “burst” begins. This early preparation dramatically improves the level a child is able to achieve when she begins to read and write, and the advantage stays with her throughout her entire life!
Read more about the Montessori Approach, and how the three-year cycle helps children maximize their early learning potential.
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Since children learn best through their own efforts, the role of the Montessori Teacher is that of an “Objective Observer.” As students indicate their need and readiness, the teacher demonstrates new materials for them. The teacher then steps into the background and allows the children to assume more and more responsibility.
Read more about the role of the Montessori Teacher , or read more about the WMS teachers.
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A typical Montessori classroom reflects the philosophy promoting individualized work, progress and independence. There is a wide range of specially designed materials available to the children at different levels of educational development and maturity. Montessori classes include children of different ages (covering a three-year span) to allow children the opportunity to learn from each other. This also permits the older children to reinforce their knowledge and share their skills with the younger ones. Read more specific details about the Montessori Method.
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Yes! Montessori education does not end with the preschool experience. It continues into the child’s elementary—and often adolescent—years, constantly building upon itself to change with the changing developmental needs of the child. As the elementary-aged child gradually moves from the concrete learning pathways of preschool to the more abstract ones of the elementary, Montessori meets his developmental needs each step of the way.
In Montessori elementary, the child’s own questions provide the basis for exploration of the world. Because these questions are heeded and nurtured, the child really connects with knowledge. Subject matter, then, is made relevant to the child’s personal quest, providing an inner motivation. A Montessori elementary education does not give the child a collection of trivial facts but rather bestows a vision of interrelated knowledge and a love of learning.
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