Questions about Montessori Education

[henri + katie's mum]

I am considering starting my son in a Montessori school for Kindergarten. I didn't even think about it for pre-K, which I know is when most kids start.

If my son starts this year, will he be confused?

Also, this school only runs Pre-K to 1st. Would starting a year late put him back a year? (Would he have to do pre-k material before Kindergarten and thus be behind for grades 1 and 2?)

Since there is no way I could afford a Montessori school past 1st grade, would it be best just to send him to a traditional school?

Thanks.

 

[tmarquez]

DD(6) went to montessori school for preschool. Due to finances she started K at a public school, although for the last 6 months at montessori she was in the K - 2nd class. We loved that school, the people were awesome and so was the enviroment.

Did your son go to any preschool, or did you work with him at home? If not, he may be behind. Honestly if you're only plannning on sending him for K and 1st, I wouldn't do it...just send him to a regular school.

For us, this year has been a bit of a nightmare. DD likes her new school because of her friends, but she is literally doing work all day long that she mastered a few years ago. She gets bored. She had problems at first, but we decided we would treat K as if it were "daycare" instead of "school", this has made all the difference.

It's been my experience with DD and a few of her montessori classmates that your son will probably be ahead of his classmates when he transfers to a public school for 2nd grade. I guess it depends on the individual school (and your son) on how they would handle this.

Good luck!

 

[henri + katie's mum]

Thanks.

Currently my son is in a pre-school within his daycare.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

our montessori school requires you start BEFORE kindergarten or they won't let you in ever.

So you might ask your montessori school if it's a possibility

 

[daisyduck123]

Since there is no way I could afford a Montessori school past 1st grade, would it be best just to send him to a traditional school?

Thanks.

Hi!
I am a public school 1st grade teacher.
I think it might serve you better to skip the Montessori. I know all of my experiences with students entering 1st grade from Montessori Kindergarten have not been positive for the first few months.

The students I have had have all exhibited the following:
-not being able to complete seatwork
-Inattentiveness
-wanting to do "their own thing"

I'm sure others will jump in here stating the complete opposite experiences, but I can only speak of my own.

 

[princessmom29]

The pp is exactly right. Montessori is simply not structured the way a traditional school is. If you are not going to keep you child there the WILL have problems adjusting to a traditional classroom. Keep in mind the it is not ther answer for every child. One of my DD's dance class friends went into montessori this year for K and has regressed significantly due to the lack of structure. She simply doesn't cope well with a nonstructured environment and won't be going back next year. Her mom put her there b/c she was academically ahead in K4 and wanted her challenged, but the opposite has been the case. She needs more direction than what is being provided.