Montessori Education: Frequently Asked Questions

Dr. Maria Montessori is credited with developing the Montessori Method, a philosophy first implemented in the early 1900s. It's a specific form of toddler and preschool education that places children at the centre of the learning process.

The classrooms mix children of diverse ages, where teachers foster independent study through child-led activities (referred to as "work").

A method of education that fosters children's natural interests and activities. A Montessori classroom emphasizes experiential learning and real-world skills development in a nurturing environment.

It strongly emphasizes individualism, based on the idea that children are naturally curious and can learn and develop independently with assistance.

As a parent, only you can determine the type of school that best suits your children. The good news is that the success of Montessori programs is based on comprehensive scientific research and data.

Orange Seeds Montessori is a great choice for a high-quality program if you're searching for a preschool or toddler daycare in Oakville or Hamilton. To learn more, book a tour or visit an open house.

A Montessori environment looks very different from a regular school classroom. It's a community. It's a child-centred program that helps children learn without needing standardized tests and homework. Everything in the classroom is designed to be multi-sensory and hands-on, giving playfulness to the lessons.

10 Strengths of the Montessori Method

If you are considering enrolling your child in a Montessori school, here are ten strengths of these programs.

1. Concentrates on essential milestones along the way

2. Fosters the development of cooperative play and community

3. Places children at the centre of the learning environment

4. Children pick up on their discipline easily and quickly

5. An orderly, nurturing environment in the classroom that teaches order

6. Educators are responsible for the coordination of learning activities

7. The approach ignites creative thinking

8. Might be more efficient in the acquisition of particular abilities

9. The system is highly individualized for each student

10. The curriculum emphasizes learning through hands-on experience

As a parent, it’s hard to determine which program your child will most succeed in homeschool, childcare, daycare, or school. The Montessori teaching method differs from what parents may encounter in conventional schools, preschools, or daycares.

This method will foster innate curiosity and interest in learning and discovery. It will encourage your child’s capacity for positive social interaction in a supportive, interactive, and respectful environment.

Children acquire the skills necessary to learn, laying the groundwork for future academic and social success.

Good teacher training programs will teach how to recognize each student's learning style and personality. It will help teachers notice each student's interests so that they may educate them in a way that best suits their needs and helps them reach their full potential.

Teachers specially trained in the Montessori Method offer a unique experience to an infant, toddler and preschooler. Children are always under the close supervision of their Montessori teacher as they are guided, supervised, and evaluated.

Lesson plans, independent practice, and individualized pedagogical approaches are all products of this process. Montessori teachers work hard to ensure their classrooms are welcoming places for all students and keep kids interested and engaged.

The Italian educator Dr. Maria Montessori once said, "Play is the child's work." Children have the potential to learn an incredible amount about their world if they are allowed to know about it during meaningful activities. Students can simultaneously experience and play in a nurturing, enriched environment prepared for them, such as schools designed using this method.

You can find the Orange Seeds Montessori curriculum for ages 0-3 here. Our Casa curriculum for ages 3-6 are outlined here.

The Association Montessori Nationale (AMI), an international organization based in Amsterdam, grants accreditation to private schools in Oakville. Accredited Oakville schools need to follow incredibly high standards for compliance, requiring most instructors to have an active certification.

Orange Seeds Montessori in Oakville and Beyond is working to secure its accreditation in collaboration with AMI. Book a tour today or visit an open house.

In a Montessori daycare and preschool, children learn through hands-on activities in a calm, carefully prepared environment rather than a one-size-fits-all schedule. Instead of everyone doing the same worksheet at the same time, children choose meaningful “work” that matches their stage of development and interests. Mixed-age classrooms encourage older children to be role models and younger children to learn from them. This approach supports independence, concentration, and a love of learning—skills that benefit children far beyond their early years.

Montessori is designed to support many different personalities, from quiet observers to active explorers. Because the environment is structured, calm, and respectful, shy or sensitive children often feel safe and gradually gain confidence. More active children are guided to channel their energy into purposeful movement and hands-on learning, rather than being asked to “sit still” all day. Our Montessori teachers observe each child closely and adapt the activities and routine to meet their individual needs, helping every child feel seen, capable, and valued.

Yes. Children who attend a Montessori preschool are typically very well prepared for regular elementary school. They develop strong foundations in early literacy and numeracy, but just as importantly, they learn how to focus, follow routines, solve problems, and work both independently and in a group. Montessori children are used to taking responsibility for their work and their belongings, which helps them adjust smoothly to new classrooms, teachers, and expectations in Grade 1 and beyond.

Montessori teachers are specially trained to observe each child and offer lessons at just the right time, instead of relying on frequent tests or formal homework. They watch how your child works, what they choose, and how confident they are with each skill, then gently introduce new challenges when they’re ready. Progress is tracked through careful observation, record-keeping, and regular communication with families. Young children learn best through meaningful, hands-on experiences in the classroom, so we keep “homework” to a minimum and focus on building a strong love of learning first.

In a Montessori daycare and preschool, everything in the classroom is designed to be child-sized and accessible so children can do more for themselves—pouring water, cleaning up spills, choosing activities, and caring for their environment. Teachers show children how to do things step by step, then step back so the child can practice and succeed on their own. With each small success, children hear the message, “I can do it,” which builds real confidence from the inside out. Over time, this independence and self-belief carries over into new situations at home, school, and in the wider world.