FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why Montessori?
MELF Teacher Training Certifications Allow You To:
● Travel overseas or work locally as an educator for young children between the ages of 2 and 7 years.
● Au pair locally or travel and work internationally
● Open your own ECD ( Early Childhood Development) Centre
● Work as a Montessori Directress and Assistant locally and internationally
● Work in a mainstream ECD classroom
● Get involved in ECD Training and material development
● Tutor privately ( Literacy and Numeracy)
WHY MONTESSORI?
Frequently Asked Questions about the Montessori Method
Q. Where did Montessori come from?
A. Montessori (pronounced MON-tuh-SORE-ee) education was founded in 1907 by Dr. Maria Montessori, the first woman in Italy to become a physician. She based her educational methods on scientific observation of children’s learning processes. Guided by her discovery that children teach themselves, Dr. Montessori designed a “prepared environment” in which children could freely choose from a number of developmentally appropriate activities. Now, nearly a century after Maria Montessori’s first casa dei bambini (“children’s house”) in Rome, Montessori education is found all over the world, spanning ages from birth to adolescence.
Q. What is the difference between Montessori and traditional education?
Under the age of six, Montessori emphasises learning through all five senses. Children in Montessori classes learn at their own, individual pace, and according to their own choice of activities from hundreds of possibilities. They are not required to sit and listen to a teacher talk to them as a group, but are engaged in individual or group activities of their own, with materials that have been introduced to them one-on-one by the teacher who knows what each child is ready to do.
Learning is an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning. Above age 6 children learn to do independent research, arrange field trips to gather information, interview specialists, create group presentations, dramas, art exhibits, musical productions, science projects, and so forth. There is no limit to what they created in this kind of intelligently guided freedom. There are no textbooks or adult-directed group lessons and daily schedule. There is great respect for the choices of the children, but they easily keep up with or surpass what they would be doing in a more traditional setting. There is no wasted time and children enjoy their work and study. The children ask each other for lessons and much of the learning comes from sharing and inspiring each other instead of competing with each other. Montessori classes place children in three-year-or-more age groups (3-6, 2.5-6, 6-12, and so on), forming communities in which the older children spontaneously share their knowledge with the younger ones. Montessori represents an entirely different approach to education.
Q. Can I do Montessori at home with my child?
Yes, you can use Montessori principles of child development at home. Look at your home through your child’s eyes: children need a sense of belonging, and they get it by participating fully in the routines of everyday life. “Help me do it by myself” is the life theme of the preschooler, school age child, teenager, and young adult.
Can you find ways for your child to participate in meal preparation, cleaning, gardening, and caring for clothes, shoes, and toys? Providing opportunities for independence is the surest way to build your child’s self-esteem and to build the skills needed for lifelong learning. At the school-level many homeschooling and other parents use the Montessori philosophy, of following the child’s interest and not interrupting concentration, to educate their children.
In school, only a trained Montessori teacher can properly implement Montessori education with specialised learning equipment. There are many ideas, however, that can be used by parents to enrich children who are being homeschooled or to enrich those who are attending school full-time.
Q. Is Montessori good for children with learning disabilities? What about gifted children?
Montessori is designed to help all children reach their fullest potential at their own unique pace. A classroom whose children have varying abilities is a community in which everyone learns from one another and everyone contributes. Moreover, multi-age grouping allows each child to find his or her own pace without feeling “ahead” or “behind” in relation to peers.
Q. Are Montessori children successful later in life?
Research show that Montessori children are well prepared for later life academically, socially, and emotionally. In addition to scoring well on standardised tests, Montessori children are ranked above average on such criteria as following directions, turning in work on time, listening attentively, using basic skills, showing responsibility, asking provocative questions, showing enthusiasm for learning, and adapting to new situations.
MONTESSORI SCHOOLS
Does Montessori offer opportunities for pretend play?
When Dr. Montessori opened the first Children’s House it was full of pretend play things. The children never played with them as long as they were allowed to do real things – i.e. cooking instead of pretending to cook. It is still true.
What are the requirements for preschool teachers in South Africa?
Qualifications in South Africa are registered with the South African Qualifications Authority SAQA), and are listed on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). These qualifications are grouped in bands with indicators that explain the complexity of the qualification. Matric is currently a level 4 qualification. Diplomas are at level 5 and Bachelor degrees at level 6.
Who quality controls these qualifications in South Africa?
Qualifications up to level 5 are accredited and verified by the ETDP SETA (Education, Training and Development Practices, Sector for Education and Training Authority). MELF is accredited by the ETDP SETA. Qualifications at level 6 and above are accredited and verified by the Council on Higher Education (CHE).
Why is it important to have a qualification that is on the National Qualifications Framework?
Qualifications on the NQF are made up of fundamental, core and elective unit standards (modules) of varying credit values. Each qualification and unit standard has clear outcomes and assessment criteria that ensure that there is consistency and quality control in the delivery of these qualifications by accredited providers. This makes registration with the South African Council of Educators (SACE) easy. The qualification breakdowns maps local qualification to foreign qualifications creating opportunities for transportability of the qualification across borders.
Is there such a thing as an international Montessori qualification?
Not really! Any person wishing to work as a preschool teacher in a country would need to fulfill the minimum requirements that apply in that country. Every country has its own set of requirements and regulations for all professions. In some instances like the USA, many states have their own requirements and regulations.
● Travel overseas or work locally as an educator for young children between the ages of 2 and 7 years.
● Au pair locally or travel and work internationally
● Open your own ECD ( Early Childhood Development) Centre
● Work as a Montessori Directress and Assistant locally and internationally
● Work in a mainstream ECD classroom
● Get involved in ECD Training and material development
● Tutor privately ( Literacy and Numeracy)
WHY MONTESSORI?
Frequently Asked Questions about the Montessori Method
Q. Where did Montessori come from?
A. Montessori (pronounced MON-tuh-SORE-ee) education was founded in 1907 by Dr. Maria Montessori, the first woman in Italy to become a physician. She based her educational methods on scientific observation of children’s learning processes. Guided by her discovery that children teach themselves, Dr. Montessori designed a “prepared environment” in which children could freely choose from a number of developmentally appropriate activities. Now, nearly a century after Maria Montessori’s first casa dei bambini (“children’s house”) in Rome, Montessori education is found all over the world, spanning ages from birth to adolescence.
Q. What is the difference between Montessori and traditional education?
Under the age of six, Montessori emphasises learning through all five senses. Children in Montessori classes learn at their own, individual pace, and according to their own choice of activities from hundreds of possibilities. They are not required to sit and listen to a teacher talk to them as a group, but are engaged in individual or group activities of their own, with materials that have been introduced to them one-on-one by the teacher who knows what each child is ready to do.
Learning is an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning. Above age 6 children learn to do independent research, arrange field trips to gather information, interview specialists, create group presentations, dramas, art exhibits, musical productions, science projects, and so forth. There is no limit to what they created in this kind of intelligently guided freedom. There are no textbooks or adult-directed group lessons and daily schedule. There is great respect for the choices of the children, but they easily keep up with or surpass what they would be doing in a more traditional setting. There is no wasted time and children enjoy their work and study. The children ask each other for lessons and much of the learning comes from sharing and inspiring each other instead of competing with each other. Montessori classes place children in three-year-or-more age groups (3-6, 2.5-6, 6-12, and so on), forming communities in which the older children spontaneously share their knowledge with the younger ones. Montessori represents an entirely different approach to education.
Q. Can I do Montessori at home with my child?
Yes, you can use Montessori principles of child development at home. Look at your home through your child’s eyes: children need a sense of belonging, and they get it by participating fully in the routines of everyday life. “Help me do it by myself” is the life theme of the preschooler, school age child, teenager, and young adult.
Can you find ways for your child to participate in meal preparation, cleaning, gardening, and caring for clothes, shoes, and toys? Providing opportunities for independence is the surest way to build your child’s self-esteem and to build the skills needed for lifelong learning. At the school-level many homeschooling and other parents use the Montessori philosophy, of following the child’s interest and not interrupting concentration, to educate their children.
In school, only a trained Montessori teacher can properly implement Montessori education with specialised learning equipment. There are many ideas, however, that can be used by parents to enrich children who are being homeschooled or to enrich those who are attending school full-time.
Q. Is Montessori good for children with learning disabilities? What about gifted children?
Montessori is designed to help all children reach their fullest potential at their own unique pace. A classroom whose children have varying abilities is a community in which everyone learns from one another and everyone contributes. Moreover, multi-age grouping allows each child to find his or her own pace without feeling “ahead” or “behind” in relation to peers.
Q. Are Montessori children successful later in life?
Research show that Montessori children are well prepared for later life academically, socially, and emotionally. In addition to scoring well on standardised tests, Montessori children are ranked above average on such criteria as following directions, turning in work on time, listening attentively, using basic skills, showing responsibility, asking provocative questions, showing enthusiasm for learning, and adapting to new situations.
MONTESSORI SCHOOLS
Does Montessori offer opportunities for pretend play?
When Dr. Montessori opened the first Children’s House it was full of pretend play things. The children never played with them as long as they were allowed to do real things – i.e. cooking instead of pretending to cook. It is still true.
What are the requirements for preschool teachers in South Africa?
Qualifications in South Africa are registered with the South African Qualifications Authority SAQA), and are listed on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). These qualifications are grouped in bands with indicators that explain the complexity of the qualification. Matric is currently a level 4 qualification. Diplomas are at level 5 and Bachelor degrees at level 6.
Who quality controls these qualifications in South Africa?
Qualifications up to level 5 are accredited and verified by the ETDP SETA (Education, Training and Development Practices, Sector for Education and Training Authority). MELF is accredited by the ETDP SETA. Qualifications at level 6 and above are accredited and verified by the Council on Higher Education (CHE).
Why is it important to have a qualification that is on the National Qualifications Framework?
Qualifications on the NQF are made up of fundamental, core and elective unit standards (modules) of varying credit values. Each qualification and unit standard has clear outcomes and assessment criteria that ensure that there is consistency and quality control in the delivery of these qualifications by accredited providers. This makes registration with the South African Council of Educators (SACE) easy. The qualification breakdowns maps local qualification to foreign qualifications creating opportunities for transportability of the qualification across borders.
Is there such a thing as an international Montessori qualification?
Not really! Any person wishing to work as a preschool teacher in a country would need to fulfill the minimum requirements that apply in that country. Every country has its own set of requirements and regulations for all professions. In some instances like the USA, many states have their own requirements and regulations.