Montessori Video FAQ
Welcome to our Parent Education Video Series!
Explore our series of short Montessori Minute videos that answer questions that parents most often ask about Montessori education.
New to Montessori? Start Here!
Is Montessori right for my child?
What is the Montessori Method of Education?
Montessori vs. Traditional Education: What's the difference?
What ages do Montessori programs serve?
Is Montessori the right choice for gifted children?
How do I determine what is a quality Montessori school?
Is Montessori a religion-based method of education?
Is it true Montessori students are allowed to do whatever they want?
If my child works at his own pace, won't he fall behind?
How important is it to start my child at Montessori by age 3?
Questions about Montessori Education
Who was Dr. Maria Montessori?
What are the four planes of development?
What are the Montessori sensitive periods?
What does 'normalization' mean in a Montessori environment?
What do we mean by “freedom within limits”?
What is a prepared environment in a Montessori school?
Why is the 3-year-cycle so important?
What does a prepared adult really look like in a Montessori classroom? (Short version)
What does a prepared adult really look like in a Montessori classroom? (Long version)
What special training do Montessori teachers have?
Assessment in Montessori
Is there a Montessori curriculum?
What can I expect to see in a Montessori classroom?
What are 'points of interest' in the Montessori classroom?
How and why do we observe in a Montessori environment?
Are lesson plans available for my child’s classroom?
Do Montessori students take standardized tests?
How do I know my child is learning if there aren’t any tests?
Why don’t Montessori teachers give grades?
Will I get a daily report about what my child did?
What if my child avoids an area? (For example, what if they don't like Math?)
Learning Life Skills
How do we develop leadership skills in the Montessori classroom?
Why does my child’s guide get down on one knee to talk to them?
How do you teach rules in a Montessori classroom? (Grace and Courtesy)
How do we teach sharing in a Montessori environment?
How do we handle disputes between the children?
Why do we address parents and children by name?
Why do we call everything “work”?
Why do we offer children choices in a Montessori environment?
Why are there so many children in a Montessori classroom?
Why don't we ask children to say 'I'm sorry' in a Montessori classroom?
Why are 5-year-olds so important in the Montessori classroom?
Will my 3-year-old get run over in a room full of 5-year-olds?
Montessori Materials
Do Montessori materials allow children to be creative?
How do the practical life materials build concentration?
How does table scrubbing help my child develop advanced math skills?
What is the purpose of the sensorial materials?
What is the pink tower?
How do the sensorial materials help students understand advanced math concepts?
Why do we teach cursive in the Montessori classroom?
Why do we teach letter sounds instead of the letter name?
Is spelling important in a Montessori classroom?
Why do we use real tools and utensils that are child sized?
Why do you use glass in the Montessori classroom?
Other Common Questions
Why is there no homework in Montessori elementary classrooms?
Why don't Montessori schools celebrate holidays like traditional schools?
Why do we call the adults “guides”?
How do I form a positive relationship with my child's teacher?
How do I make my home more Montessori-like?
Should I have Montessori materials in my home?
How can I help my child successfully transition to school?
Why is it so important to be on time to school?
Will Montessori students be able to sit still in traditional classrooms?
Where do children go after Montessori?
