Frequently Asked Questions

Are all schools that call themselves "Montessori" the same?

It depends on where the principal or teachers are trained. The two internationally recognised bodies that train and accredit Montessori teachers are the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and Montessori Centre International (MCI) — both are strict about how their own trainers are trained.

Two clear signs of an authentic Montessori school: mixed-age grouping, and a Montessori work cycle of at least 1.5 hours (Dr Montessori herself preferred 3 hours). Many schools in Singapore shorten this to under an hour to fit in more group activities. Because "Montessori" isn't a trademarked name, some schools use it while running only a partial version of the method — which the full method doesn't work as well when split apart.

Is the Montessori approach outdated compared to newer play-based methods?

No — it's grounded in child psychology and development theory, not a passing trend, so it doesn't really go in or out of date. It combines a structured curriculum with genuinely child-centred, play-based learning, which suits Singapore's context well: rigorous without sacrificing the child-led exploration that a purely play-based classroom depends heavily on experienced teachers to provide.

Is my child free to do whatever they want in the classroom?

We call it "freedom within limits." Your child is free to choose any material on the shelves that they understand, work at their own pace, talk to other children, and move around to observe others — but not to disturb another child's work or misuse the materials, which are core to how they learn.

My child keeps repeating the same activity, or pours water endlessly — is that a problem?

The opposite — repetition is a milestone, not a rut. Your child is perfecting a skill at their own inner direction, and will move on naturally once that "inner construction" is complete.

What are "sensitive periods," and why do Montessori classrooms look the way they do?

Dr Montessori identified windows — mostly between birth and age 6 — where children are unusually receptive to specific kinds of learning: order, refinement of the senses, language, movement, writing, small objects, and social connection. The classroom materials and "corners" (see Programmes) are built around meeting each of these in turn.

What's the benefit of mixed-age (vertical) grouping?

It's a more natural, less competitive environment — children work at their own pace rather than all doing the same worksheet at the same time. Older children become role models and hone leadership by helping younger ones; younger children learn by observing older ones at work. It mirrors real adult working life more than a same-age classroom does.

Will my child be ready for Primary One after a Montessori kindergarten?

Yes. Preschool-age children think differently from primary-school-age children, and that shift is a natural part of development — trained early-childhood educators know not to teach across that shift the same way. Once a child has been properly prepared across all the areas a Montessori kindergarten covers, their mind is ready for the next stage.