Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a Montessori classroom and a traditional classroom?

A traditional classroom is typically teacher-centered. Children are instructed in a group with little respect to the individual developmental level or interest of the child.

A Montessori classroom is child-centered. The focus is with the uniqueness of each individual with respect to each child's interest and level of development. The teacher, originally called a "Directress", functions as a designer of the environment, role model, facilitator to the child and keen observer of behavior and growth. Children learn at their own pace, not of the group. Once they have received a lesson (presentation) children are free to choose their own activities. Learning is self-motivated, enjoyable and ultimately, highly successful.

Montessori classrooms are also multi-aged with three, four and five year-olds interacting together as one community. This encourages social interaction for cooperative learning, peer teaching and emotion growth.

Is Montessori only for preschool aged children?

There are Montessori schools with programs for infants and toddlers through elementary, junior and senior high. However, the program at Kinderhaus is only for preschool age children. A child must be three years old before September 1st of the year before they are enrolled.

Critics say Montessori students are unsupervised. Is this true?

Montessori students are self-directed, not unsupervised. The directress, or teacher guide, presents activities (gives a lesson) to a child. Continuously observing the level of interest she evaluates how often the child returns to it, if there is focus and concentration, and if the child uses the material with dexterity, coordination and understanding. Based upon her observations and the child's mastery of an activity, the teacher is able to lead the child towards the next level of difficulty, or allow the child more time to master a skill.

How well do KMS students transition to traditional schools?

Montessori children are fairly adaptable. Children from Kinderhaus have transitioned well into a traditional kindergarten classroom. They have already learned to work independently and make individual choices, they possess good communication skills and they have confidence in their abilities. Kindergarten teachers for area schools have remarked what a delight KMS students are to have in their classrooms.

Does KMS require students to be toilet trained?

Yes. While we recognize not all children are toilet trained before their early education begins, we do require all children are trained without the use of pull-ups when they begin at Kinderhaus.

What are the fees and tuition cost at KMS?

Current school enrollment fees and tuition can be found in our materials download section.

Who was Maria Montessori?

An Italian educator of the early 20th century, Maria Montessori is remembered as the founder of the famous Montessori Method of education which emphasized hands-on, individualized learning within mixed age groups in a child-friendly setting.

Her teaching strategies and her discoveries about the process of learning revolutionized the field of education in the United States and profoundly influenced children's education all around the world. Despite the familiarity of her name, few realize that much of the developmental, "hands-on" approach now employed in preschools and kindergartens can be traced to the innovations of Maria Montessori. Although best known as an educator, Montessori's formal training was as a scientist and medical doctor. She is also notable for having been Italy's first female M.D. For her committed efforts on behalf of children, especially in the face of the fascism of World War II, Montessori was nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize (1949, 1950, and 1951).