What to look for in a Montessori School
One of the key factors in deciding on the Montessori program is the observation of the classroom. AMI USA has published a checklist to help parents evaluate the programs.
Some key elements of this checklist are:
- The environment is organized and attractive
- Multi-sensory, hands-on materials are in regular use
- Each child has an opportunity to choose work that interests him/her
- The emphasis is on learning by doing and social development rather than drills, memorization, or finding information only to answer specific questions
- Children are encouraged to teach, collaborate, and help each other
- The teachers and staff show respect for the children
- The children are calm, concentrated, and joyful
Key AMI guidelines also include:
- An AMI trained teacher in every classroom
- A mixed age-group
- A three-hour uninterrupted work period in the morning and a two-hour period in the afternoon
- A complete set of materials made by AMI authorized manufacturers