Frequently Asked Questions

Answer: Montessori system of education is both a philosophy of child development and a rationale for guiding such growth. It is based on two important developmental needs of children. Through these developmental needs, the child develops intelligence as well as physical and psychological abilities. The Montessori method of education is designed to take full advantage of the children's desire to learn and their unique ability to develop their own capabilities.

Answer: Primarily, the purpose of the Montessori method is to provide an environment where the innate abilities of the child can unfold spontaneously, encouraging the development of the person within, allowing the child to achieve his greatest potential. Maria Montessori stated, "the child is the father of the man." As the child develops his inner self, a love of life and learning follows naturally.

Answer: The abilities of young children at two and three years old are really amazing. In Montessori environments, children are able to absorb concrete materials using all their senses simultaneously, a unique ability soon lost. This period of special absorption is called "Sensitive Periods". Starting a child at 2½ in a good Montessori environment with well-trained directresses can have results that will remain with the child all her life.

Answer: Montessori emphasizes learning through all five senses, not just through listening, watching, or reading. Children in Montessori classes learn at their own individual pace and according to their own choice of activities. Learning is an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning. Montessori classes place children in three-year age groups, forming communities in which older children spontaneously share their knowledge with younger ones.

Answer: Montessori classes are set up to encompass a three or four-year age span. This allows younger students the inspiration of older children, who in turn benefit from serving as role models. Each child learns at her own pace and will be ready for any given lesson in her own time, not on the teacher's schedule. In a mixed-age class, children can always find peers who are working at their current level.

Answer: This is the most frequently asked question. Most children adjust well to the transfer from Montessori to other schools when their self esteems are high. They usually enter their new environments with positive, flexible confidence following their experience with, and nurturing of, a real love of learning. The skills learned in Montessori classrooms completely outweigh the problems encountered during transition to traditional school.

Answer: After completing the Primary program at Bodhana HOC Velachery, children can transition to our main campus in OMR for continued Montessori education through Elementary and Adolescent programs with Cambridge curriculum integration.