Montessori Schools

Does anybody have their kids in a Montessori school? Would u recommend? Why or why not?

Montessori Schools

Only certain children will thrive in a Montessori environment... It's a very unique way of learning some not all children will respond to it.
I would possibly tour a few schools and ask their honest opinion based on your child's temperament and how they learn.

Re: Montessori Schools

I do. My DS is thriving. I would take a look at some schools and see what your thoughts are.

Re: Montessori Schools

Re: Montessori Schools

Montessori Schools

This is interesting to know - what kind of kid would thrive in a Montessori setting?

Re: Montessori Schools

Love Montessori!
Had an active boy & a quiet girl both did well!
Both were reading & writing and prepared for k as well as telling me about Monet and outer space.
Doesn't hurt that they are taught "please, thank you" and how to cut their own food and drink from real cups.
I will send my 3rd as well (but it is a traditional Montessori with an excellent staff)... Although it is $$$!

Re: Montessori Schools

My 3 year old goes to Montessori. I am going to give you the good and bad...
Montessori is a very specific method of teaching. The children do not learn in the way children traditionally do today. They are very consistent so you know things will be implemented and taught the same way for each child. It's just that each child grows and develops at their own pace. It is all individualized learning.
They also strive for independence and are (compared to traditional school) not very structured. Children are allowed to access materials and activities on their own time. For example: My daugther is in Children's house- Montessori preschool program. They come in, hang their things up, and are able to access materials as they wish. The teacher puts snack out and kids go, sit and eat as they wish. There is no snack time. The teacher will go around from student to student and engage them in specific learning skills. *If a material is being used incorrectly, they are corrected by providing them with materials to achieve what they are looking to do. So, if for example my DD took 2 wooden puzzle pieces and started clapping them together, the teacher would bring over a tambourine and tell her to clap that. Lunch and recess are organized as well as Physical Educaiton. Meaning they all do it together at the same time. They clean their own lunches and wipe their own messes.
my favorite thing is their approach to discipline. IT was the reason I chose Montessori. They are trained to identify triggers when children get frustrated and intervene early. However, place A LOT of emphasis on what is expected instead of what the child did wrong. So if my daughter hit a peer, the teacher would come over and tell her that when they hit others it makes them sad. And that we are only gentle with our friends. They never say "no hitting" or "say you're sorry". They stress mutual respect so all teachers and staff are on first name basis with the students so there is an element of guilt when the children do something wrong.

The other side: It's a little too loose for some people. The lack of consistency and competitive nature turns some people off. Also a lot of people are much better with structure. They like to know that they are being led by a teacher instead of self directing their own play schedule based on their interests.

What PP have mentioned is true. It's not for everyone. DD is going into her 3rd year of Montessori and I am still not sure if it's the right method for her. My daughter has sensory and auditory processing delays. The teachers are willing to work and implement some of the strategies recommended by her therapists, but overall, I can't help but wonder if some of her social pragmatic skills are delayed because they weren't fostered. In terms of academics, my daughter is wicked smart compared to her non- Montessori peers. She has known all of her colors and letters since well before 2. She isn't quite 3 yet and over the weekend I heard her count to 50. She loves learning, but doesn't like learning if she is pressured into doing it. She likes it to be fun, but seems to be competitive within herself to finish tasks.

Message edited 8/3/2016 12:24:03 PM.

Montessori Schools

Thank u so much for all ur responses, I really appreciate them!

Those are the reasons I actually love about this program; independence, individualized learning, and their approach towards discipline. But I'm scared DS won't be able to cope well enough in a traditional school when he goes to kindergarten (my district doesn't have prek).

For those that noticed that this way of learning wasn't a good fit for ur kids, what were the signs that brought u to that conclusion?

Message edited 8/3/2016 11:24:34 PM.