Parenting Club - Parenting Advice, Parenting Message Boards, Baby Message Boards, Pregnancy Message Boards, TTC Messge Boards
Shop for Baby Items | Parenting & Family Blogs

Montessori Schools - Any info?


moped wrote: I am just curious if any children here have gone or are going to Montessori schools? Pros and cons etc?

Thanks guys!

stella6979 replied: My friend's 3 year old attends one and she always has good things to say about them. I've never specifically asked her for the pros and cons, but she's never had anything bad to say about them other than the cost. biggrin.gif

mummy2girls replied: My niece was in one... they are much more educational she found that the other ones. But that was her oppinion. Me i have no idea because i havent put jenna in one. Oh and i think the child needs to be fully potty trained to attend as well!

luvmykids replied: I don't know much about them, the only thing I've heard is that they are somewhat untraditional in some ways and that they really encourage learning how to think outside the box, problem solve, etc rather than just book learning.

lovemy2 replied: They are VERY outside the box as far as learning - at least here in NY, we went to visit one and it was "child" directed....meaning there were groups of children which ranged in age from like 3-7 and the older ones "taught" the younger ones....I found it shall we say not to my liking....not to say it isn't good - because I think it could be a good fit for many children but they definately don't teach and learn like a child would be in public/private (most) schools.....AND they are VERY VERY expensive....

lisar replied:
Thats what I have heard about them. And that they cost ALOT of money.

moped replied: Ok, well I kind of like that idea of learning - and it is just for pre school that I am looking. The cost is a bit much but not too much more than a regular preschool to be honest. But everything here is overpriced and silly.

If they have a spot I am going to go have a tour tonight!!!!!

Maddie&EthansMom replied:
One of Maddie's classmates went to Montessori school for several years and this is how her mother explained it to me. This is her first year at the private school (she's in first grade) and she is doing really well. Above average, probably. Even though her mother admitted to it being different than an actual school setting, the child adjusted well. wink.gif

Good luck! I hope he gets a spot! thumb.gif

lovemy2 replied:
I didn't mean in anyway that it isn't a good way of learning - just so you know (I know you aren't saying I did!!!) but I didn't think it would work very well for Olivia - for some kids I think it is great, it can develop wonderful leadership skills - among other things.....Olivia well she had/has the leadership skills - she needed/needs to learn how to use them rolling_smile.gif

moped replied:
Oh you don't have to explain - i understand........

I just don't want to put Jack in over his head, but I like the idea of making htem a bit more independant ya know....becausehe is VERY dependant on us right now. Which is another reason we NEED another child

tongue.gif

The price - yes it is more, but worth it or not?

stella6979 replied: Ok, so my friend just emailed me and said that since Jordan (her daughter) has been attending the school (8 months), she has learned her abc's, can count to 20, knows all her colors, and can sing 5 or 6 different songs in English and Spanish. She said they put the kids in groups and work on numbers, letters and problem solving and that aside from the educational stuff, she is also learning the importance of sharing and how to make friends. She'll be 3 next month and still isn't fully potty trained but they are helping with that as well.

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied:
This was my concern too Jen, that I would be putting Wil in over his head. I've always heard that Montessoris can be a bit too structured (advanced). The theory is to allow kids to think outside of the box with lots of arts and crafts, but they have structured activities, where I think regular public preschool is more about playtime. That's what I've been told at least, I don't know from experience though, so don't quote me on that. So for me personally, I really want preschool to be ALL about playing, learning to share and learning to listen. I don't really want Wil to feel pressured to know too much before he hits Kindergarten, kwim?

DH went to Montessori and from what he remembers, he didn't like it. This was of course back in the 70's, so I can't tell you why he really disliked it, he was only four or so. But English was his second language at the time and they just didn't know what to do with him. They made him feel "misplaced" I guess. So his parents picked a Waldorf instead and I guess that worked up until high school.

Hope you like the tour and figure out what's best for Jack. GL!

Boo&BugsMom replied: My opinion, two cents, and some tidbits from what I have learned through Montessori teachers I know...

The differences between Montessori and other programs are huge. First of all, they put a huge emphasis on life skills. That is one thing I like about it. They learn to sweep, clean things properly, etc. Emphasis is put on responsibility. Second, there is much more free choice than in other programs contrary to what others may think. This can be good or bad. IMHO, as a teacher I believe it's important to require the kids to do certain things, otherwise, how will they be prepared for "school" if they do not continue Montessori schooling? In Montessori, there is structure, but kids are not 'required' to do work or activities regularly. The KIDS lead the activities. Whereas, when they get to school, they are not given free reign of whatever they want to do all day. I'm not saying they are not structured, but it's a DIFFERENT kind of structure than in traditional schooling.

You also will not find "toys". Their "toys" are all Montessori made materials. In other words, you will most likely not find a Little People Barn, but materials that are made exclusively for Montessori schools. They are all educational, but they do not consider them toys, but educational materials that teach specific concepts.

Ages are much more mixed as well. It's very common to find 2 year olds way on up to 5 year olds in one classroom...that's one thing I do NOT like. The older ones don't necessarily "teach" the younger ones though (I think using that term might miscontrude the concept), they more or less are used as a "modeling tool". When doing activities they will pair a younger one up with an older one, something that I do in my own home preschool which can be beneficial. The teacher still is the teacher and teaches the students. I do however believe children this age benefit most with kids mostly their own age. But, JMO. I'm more a traditional teacher, but the pairing of the younger and older ones can be beneficial to both sides when done right.

Montessori isn't for every child, but neither is anything. Also, even though each one is labeled Montessori, it doesn't mean that they are all alike. Each one is still very different so it's important to check them ALL out if there is more than one. Even concepts I have pointed out may not be true in every single Montessori school, but tride and true Montessori schools will most likely use all Montessori methods in which each school is trained to do.

I can say this...everytime I have gone out on a field trip and have seen a Montessori class out at the same place as us, they are always well behaved! I have had a couple students with behavior issues in the past leave daycare centers in which I worked at for a Montessori program who thrived and did so much better there than in a traditional school.

www.montessoriworld.com

Check out this link, it could give you some more information. There is so much more information than to what I and others have posted.

Boo&BugsMom replied: I also want to add that each school has their own technique as well. Even in traditional preschool programs it is important to ask what their teaching method is. There are also Waldorf Schools, Creative Curriculum approaches, High Scope learning methods...and many more. Each school you check out, ask what curriculum and teaching methods they use because each one is very different from the next. biggrin.gif Each teacher also teaches in his/her own way so it's important to ask each teacher what methods they use and what concepts they use in the classroom. smile.gif

moped replied: Wow Jennie thanks for all that information..........that is just what I was looking for. I want all opinions etc.
I guess I think that 3 is early for kids to go, but it would be a good way to get him out and not so reliant on Tom and I. Hoping when he has a sibling things might change, but for now he doesn't so I thought preschool would be the way to do it.

I will need to ask a million questions..........

redchief replied: My brother is hoping to send my godson to a Montessori school next year. He and my sister-in-law went and loved it. They also said they had friends who had children there. He spoke of the untraditional learning methods they use there as positives. We'll see how it goes.


CommunityNewsResources | Entertainment | Link To Us |Terms of Use | Privacy PolicyAdvertising
©2024 Parenting Club.com All Rights Reserved