Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT DOES ‘MONTESSORI’ MEAN?
Dr. Maria Montessori was the first woman physician in Italy. She specialized in pediatrics and discovered the marvelous abilities of young children to learn through their senses. Today, there are thousands of Montessori schools throughout the

WHAT IS KIDDIE TOES MONTESSORI SCHOOL?
Kiddie Toes Montessori School is a place where children, ages 2 – ½ to 6 years, love to learn by doing, experimenting, touching -- using all of their senses. We provide a hands-on classroom environment with imported learning materials for all of the main areas: practical living, sensory, math, art, music, language as well as geography, history and science. Even the youngest children will learn about their world! The materials are especially made for the Montessori classroom, exceptionally broad in range and advance for children of their age.

WHAT AGE CAN CHILDREN ATTEND SCHOOL?
Children, ages 2-½ to 6, can work and play together as a family, in a cooperative and non-competitive environment. They encourage each other to succeed, learning from their mistakes without feeling inferior or superior. The ideal Montessori learning program for your child is the full 3-year program.

WHY SHOULD I BEGIN MY CHILD AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE?
Being exposed at their most sensitive periods to such an enriched environment, the children develop their abilities to a high level, without pressure and through freedom of choice.

DO THE CHILDREN MOVE AND CHOOSE THEIR WORK FREELY?
Absorbing a broad understanding of the world through hands-on materials, the children move about freely, choosing their “work” with responsibility and freedom. Their independence and self-confidence grow as they learn through projects that allow them to learn as individuals, at their own pace and to reach toward their full potential.

WHAT ARE THE LEARNING OUTCOMES?
When children begin at 2 ½ or 3 years of age at Kiddie Toes Montessori School, they show qualities of enthusiasm for learning, love of work, concern for others, concentration, a drive toward excellence, orderliness and a joy of learning. It is inspiring to see most of the 4 and 5- year olds casually reading to each other, confident in the knowledge that they taught themselves to read!

HOW DOES THE MONTESSORI CHILD ADAPT TO A TRADITIONAL ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM?
Because of their self-discipline and independence, children who have been in the Montessori classroom for the full 3-year span adjust readily to traditional elementary classrooms. Since the majority of the children have been reading since they were 4 ½ or 5 years of age, they love to learn, wherever they are.