Montessori Magazine Says "No" to Mickey Mouse!

[emma'smom]

Maybe this is old news to all of you..However, I was sitting in the parent room at my dd4's Montessori preschool today and happened to glance through a copy of a Montessori publication sitting on the table. The front cover featured a picture of Sorcerer Mickey with a crossed out circle on him! I read through the article and it was all about how Disney is bad because it promotes fantasy and the isn't the real world enough of an imaginative place without bringing needing to invent talking mice and 7 foot purple dinosaurs? It went on to say that if we teach our children to believe in princesses and cartoons, then eventually they won't trust us because they won't know what to believe is real and what is pretend!

Nuts..crazy...my dd4 loves princesses and thinks they are real and someday she'll figure it out...and it won't have scarred her for life! Considering the number of families at that school who regularly go to Disney (including a few DVC members), it is a good thing the article was hidden in a back room!

Luckily, dd's teacher isn't quite as die hard as the official magazine!

 

[Honeymooner04]

I didn't know that but then again I don't know much about Montessori education. I'll have to keep that in mind when I start researching preschools in a couple of years.

 

[bumbershoot]

Is this THE Montessori, or the offshoot? I just wanna know for my own sake.

Then again, I kind of agree with what you said was in the article. I was raised with (true, not offshoot) Montessori background, and coincidentally my mom never did the typical childhood lies, the Santa, the Mickey, etc etc etc. She made sure we didn't ruin other parents' lies, we did an intricate "myth" explanation in our family, but we didn't BELIEVE that those things were real.

Then again, princesses ARE real. It's just that their stories don't end at the weddings...sadly.

Of course, putting a line through a sorcerer Mickey is getting a bit, hmm, weird IMO, b/c there's Mickey, and then there's sorcerer Mickey, and I'd start wondering if there was a religious thing going on in the editorial board of that magazine...

We did manage to go to Disneyland as kids just fine; one of the reasons for no Santa was b/c I was very timid, so you can imagine I was NOT one for seeing Mickey, but there are SO many things to do there other than just believe in fantasy...stories come to life can be fun without actually "believing" in them, just ask me and my brother!

 

[BlondeAlligator]

I am studying to be an early childhood educator & have observed and studied the Montessori method...it's not for me but I do see some of the benefits. However, the whole point of being a child is innocence, faith, imagination, hope, acceptance, and fun. I think it is sad when people try to treat children like little adults. Youth is a time for believing in Santa, the tooth fairy and talking mice...I think that calling it lying is harsh and I don't know anyone who resents their parents for perpetuating these myths. As for Disney, it provides wholesome entertainment in the form of books, music, movies & tv, and WDW is a place where families can go and spend quality time together away from a world of long work hours, daycare & over-scheduling. Nothing bad about that!

And for the record, I am 35 and I still "believe" in Santa!

 

[mhm]

So what the heck is wrong with a little fantasy???? We have opted for a Montessori school for our dd4 since she was 18 months old, but that doesn't mean I agree with everything they say. I have heard of children at some "Montessori" schools being chastised for pretending a toy fire truck is an airplane. Fortunately, her school doesn't take the extremist view. She comes home talking about Superman & Spiderman, and first learned about the princesses from her friends at school. They don't incorporate these things into the curriculum, but they don't stifle it either. I personally think fantasy is important. That's part of why we are taking her out of kindergarden for a week in September to give her the ultimate magical princess birthday at WDW!! (I also plan to do it again in 4 1/2 years for my younger daughter's 5th birthday, too!)

 

[susykt4]

Wow. I admit to knowing NOTHING about Montessori schools and get the gist that most aren't like this, but reprimanding a child for pretending a train is an airplane??? Discouraging fantasy??? Huh? How about imaginary friends? How about my son pretending his cup (or ANYthing he's holding) is some kind of vehicle? I ENcourage this behavior!

Is DD6 seriously going to need therapy because she believes in Santa? She knows the Disney characters are people in costumes, but she truly believes that Tink brings her a small gift every night if she behaves at WDW. And here I was hoping she'd have GOOD memories of these LIES when she's an adult! Perhaps someone should call DCFS on me!!!

 

[Ariel8676]

However, the whole point of being a child is innocence, faith, imagination, hope, acceptance, and fun. I think it is sad when people try to treat children like little adults. Youth is a time for believing in Santa, the tooth fairy and talking mice...I think that calling it lying is harsh and I don't know anyone who resents their parents for perpetuating these myths. As for Disney, it provides wholesome entertainment in the form of books, music, movies & tv, and WDW is a place where families can go and spend quality time together away from a world of long work hours, daycare & over-scheduling. Nothing bad about that!

Well said.....

 

[cttjones]

My daughter is now 8, but she went to a Montessori preschool and during Kindergarten. We carefully researched the type of preschool with this different teaching methods. For our daughter, I couldn't have made a better choice. With that said, her school NEVER discouraged her use of imagination. I think it is like most things. It just depends on the particular school you are dealing with. As a matter of fact, the owner's family are big Disers. They went ever year our daughter was there.

 

[tmarquez]

Wow. My DD(4) is in a Montessori school. One of DD's teachers is as much a fan of Disney as we are. I've never seen or heard a child be chastised for pretending...and honestly if I did I would take her out of there.

We (the whole family) believe in EVERYthing at my house (tooth fairy, princesses, santa, the easter bunny, etc.). We also trust each other. Do we need therapy...well...probably (but for other reasons that believing in Santa and liking to ride Spash Mountain).

I really love my DD's school and so does she. She's getting a solid education and they treat her like they would their own. I've never seen any of these magazines there, and I guess their philosophies are more of an "offshoot" like someone else mentioned.

Little kids can and will believe in things on theor own withour the parents pushing it on them (unless you keep them inside, don't let them be around other kids, avoid exposure to all media, and no stores!). My DD started crying the other night because I had to tell her unicorns aren't real. I never knew she had such a serious belief in unicorns! She asked me where they live (like what climate or in the woods, etc). I was really caught off guard. I told her that unicorns only live in stories and that she wouldn't find them in a zoo or living in the wild. She cried. I comforted her. She got over it. She still likes to draw unicorns...I think she'll be ok.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

wow, that interesting..........

 

[bedgraynexl]

my kids were also in a Montessori Preschool program. Our teachers were very supportive and encouraging about our Disney trips. Their school really promotes creativity and imagination, which is what those kids need at that age.

 

[mickeymouseclubhouse]

My daughter is now 8, but she went to a Montessori preschool and during Kindergarten. We carefully researched the type of preschool with this different teaching methods. For our daughter, I couldn't have made a better choice. With that said, her school NEVER discouraged her use of imagination. I think it is like most things. It just depends on the particular school you are dealing with. As a matter of fact, the owner's family are big Disers. They went ever year our daughter was there.

ITA! Our dd is in montessori school and I would never send her anywhere else! However, many schools interpret the montessori philosophy differently and there are no regulations as to what schools call themselves "montessori". In my dd's school, as long as she's not misusing/abusing the materials she is free to use her imagination. OP: What montessori publication was it? Also, just because the authors of that article/magazine are expressing their opinions, this does not necessarily mean the whole montessori community adopts such an extreme position or philosophy. Just my 2 cents.

 

[bibbity bobbity boo]

Im sorry but that is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever read. Its all good in moderation. I could go on and on ... but Ill just leave it at that.

 

[emma'smom]

The school is a fully registered regular AMA school. However, the school itself isn't pushing this. I just happened to be sitting in the parent room and noticed the magazine. The school subscribes to two or three Montessori publications and then puts the most recent issues in the parent room for folks to peruse while waiting for their children.

Dd's teacher last year was bit more extreme and it always drove me up the wall. She did not return this year. However, we did invite her daughter to my dd4's princess birthday party last year and they did come. The teacher stayed the whole time and I'm not sure what she thought...she was polite enough not to say. 15 little girls in princess dresses...it was a blast! Her dd did wear a princess dress...but was not a commercial princess like the rest of the Belles and Cinderellas running around.

Her current teacher is much more laid-back (as are most of the rest of the teachers and the school director). We've pulled dd out for Disney twice this year and she always wishes us well. Fantasy is not purposely incorporated into the curriculum (so no formal dress-up area, etc), but not discouraged on the playground and more informally. They do get out the costumes in the after-school class...so even more laid back when the formal curriculum ends.

I believe strongly in the Montessori philsophy and we love our school. However, Maria Montessori said the "follow the child" and my daughter would lead her right to Cinderella's castle!!

 

[Tigger&Aidan]

Just curious about what Montessori is all about - can someone give a brief explanation or point me in the right direction for a good website? Always looking to learn new things!

 

[ryanmilla]

It sounds like most you parents and the schools you send your kids to have the right idea. My DW is the Director of Montessori Development for 3 campuses here where we live. She lives and breathes Montessori and you can see it in the way she teaches. However, like me she is a Disney nut, so much so, she even wants to go DURING Xmas week .

Anyway, like most of you already know, Montessori promotes "real-world" play and education and my wife believes in that too in school. But again, like most of you have said, they also believe in a child's imagination. Just take one look at our house and you can see that. Our DD and DS are the next biggest Disney nuts next to me.

So, like another poster said earlier, "everything in moderation." Montessori is a great education philosphy, but is also not suited for every child. And again, it is a philosphy, not a extremism.

It would be interesting to find out the name of the publication.

 

[jillyjoey]

Wow. My DD(4) is in a Montessori school. One of DD's teachers is as much a fan of Disney as we are. I've never seen or heard a child be chastised for pretending...and honestly if I did I would take her out of there.

We (the whole family) believe in EVERYthing at my house (tooth fairy, princesses, santa, the easter bunny, etc.). We also trust each other. Do we need therapy...well...probably (but for other reasons that believing in Santa and liking to ride Spash Mountain).

I really love my DD's school and so does she. She's getting a solid education and they treat her like they would their own. I've never seen any of these magazines there, and I guess their philosophies are more of an "offshoot" like someone else mentioned.

.

You pretty much summed up our experience -- both of our children are in a Montessori school DS(10) and DD(4). DS's teacher is definitely a bigger Disney nut than I (although I think I am starting to catch up).

 

[mhm]

Just curious about what Montessori is all about - can someone give a brief explanation or point me in the right direction for a good website? Always looking to learn new things!

http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/refcap/bigkid/gpreschool/64635.html
http://www.amshq.org/montessori.htm

 

[BeckityBobbidyBoo!]

I read Dr. Montessori's book "The Montessori Method" a few months ago, as I was looking at a school for my son. Dr. Montessori developed her method nearly 100 hundred years ago. Her study of children began with cognitively disabled children and then moved on to head a program for extremly poor children who existed in the worst living conditions. She created her Children's Houses and developed her methods which were implemented in a very controlled way. Anyway, the world has changed dramatically in 100 years, the dynamics of the population being taught by her method now is worlds away from how it began. The ideas being taught by Montessori preschools are usually well integrated into typcial family life before a child goes to school.
One article said that fantasy play/imagination should be left to grown minds who have mastered real life skills. I think most people realize this method developed in such vastly different conditions has its limits. Dr. Montessori is not here to comment on the ways in which the world has changed so you are left with others to interpret what she might think.

 

[ryanmilla]

I read Dr. Montessori's book "The Montessori Method" a few months ago, as I was looking at a school for my son. Dr. Montessori developed her method nearly 100 hundred years ago. Her study of children began with cognitively disabled children and then moved on to head a program for extremly poor children who existed in the worst living conditions. She created her Children's Houses and developed her methods which were implemented in a very controlled way. Anyway, the world has changed dramatically in 100 years, the dynamics of the population being taught by her method now is worlds away from how it began. The ideas being taught by Montessori preschools are usually well integrated into typcial family life before a child goes to school.
One article said that fantasy play/imagination should be left to grown minds who have mastered real life skills. I think most people realize this method developed in such vastly different conditions has its limits. Dr. Montessori is not here to comment on the ways in which the world has changed so you are left with others to interpret what she might think.

I was just mentioning this thread to my wife (Montessori teacher noted above) who said practically the same thing. Very nice post.