Below are some common questions parents ask when considering VFKH. We hope that you find these helpful, if you have other questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
What is AMI?
Association Montessori International (AMI), headquartered in Amsterdam, Holland, was founded in 1929 by Dr. Maria Montessori to protect the integrity of her work. The AMI has remained the worldwide authority on Montessori education and practice. AMI/USA is the functioning branch office of AMI in the United States.
Why is the Montessori preschool experience 5 days a week?
This sequential program allows the spontaneous learning of the child to flow smoothly with minimal interruptions. The child can return to an activity of interest and quickly start from where he/she left off without losing a period of days in between.
Why are mixed aged children in the same classroom together?
Children of 2.5 – 6 years all working/playing together in the same classroom allows everybody to learn at their own pace. The older children help the younger ones, while sharing what they have learned the older students simultaneously reinforce their knowledge and skill. The children in this fairly large group of mixed ages learn to function as a community; they learn how to get along together, to respect each other’s rights and to share the environment and its resources. In the Montessori environment the emphasis is on cooperation, not competition.
How do Montessori children adapt to traditional schools?
Our students bring confidence, enthusiasm for learning, and strong skill sets wherever they go in life. Montessori children usually transition smoothly to traditional schools, with the actual time needed to adapt dependent on each individual child.
Do children in Montessori classrooms have the opportunity for socialization?
Socialization is very much a part of the Montessori way. In the classroom children interact continuously, for example: choosing to work on projects together, older children assisting younger ones, or taking part in snack together. Not only do our students become comfortable socializing with their own age group but also, through their time in the Primary and Elementary programs, with older and younger children.