Very OT-pls tell me about Montessori

[Tiger926]

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[summersfam4]

Just wanted to say that as with any school you have to check it out to make sure it is right for you. Montessori for us has been a wonderful choice. My now 7 year old DD went from age 3 untill age 5. She loved her work there (all of their activities are work lol), she worked independantly, side-by-side, and with others in many types of work. Although there was emphasis on phonics, and independence, there was also emphasis on social skills on the playground, and with cooperative works. My DD came out of Montessori knowing all of her phonics sounds, most of her blends, reading short words, adding and subtracting, playing well with others, sharing, using deductive reasoning, and seeing as the classes were mixed in age 3-5 she learned to help others who were younger than she, and listen to those who were older and helping her. Our program here is just from 9am to 12pm. The young class (2-3) can go either Tuesdays and Thursdays, or Monday, Wednesday, & Friday. The older class (3-5) goes all five days and there is an extended hours program for the older children (only 1.5 hours I think). After my oldest DD loving Montessori so much we did decided to put our youngest DD in the program. She did enter the school at 2 years, which we were unsure of at the time since she had only been home with me during her first two years. She was already potty trained, so she didn't need help with that, but she has learned to interact socially with others, work independantly, recognize some of her letters, ect. Most importantly she loves it, she is learning through activities that are different and fun for her. It helps that I now know all of the teachers (they have been there for years), I still drop in and help out/or visit DD when ever I can (I'm homeschooling oldest DD). This program has best suited our needs as a family, plus as Mainebound said the emphasis on peace, on conservation of the earth, and on giving, sharing, and cooperation at Montessori, are something that our family believes in and therefore the school fits our family life too. Good luck with your decision!
Kelly

 

[yyzgurl]

High school Special Education teacher here - Montessori is student centred as some posters already mentioned and this means that students learn at their own pace in a level that is suitable to them. I actually use many Montessori methods with my learning challenged high school students because it's the best way to learn! I have studied this extensively, and so I can attest to the fact that I usually have 20 different brains in my class at any given time; therefore, if I make them all do the same thing, at the same time in the same way, there are going to be problems. Montessori teaching allows for self growth and emphasizes "freedom within limits," and that unfortunately for children, clashes with the traditional school system.

I must admit though, for us we embrace the Montessori philosophy because we believe it, and totally understand it. Many people though, have no idea what it is and think it's just daycare (I've been having this argument with my MIL for 2 years now!). Therefore, if parents are just looking for daycare, then they should go somewhere else as those parents who really believe in it are usually fighting to get there children registered as there are usually lengthy waiting lists for most Montessori schools in our area as they are all private - no government assistance or subsidies at all. Please no flames here, but this really irks me as parents just want to jump on a bandwagon that they know nothing about! I'm not sure why you'd want to enroll your child in a program that you know nothing about? I guess that's a discussion saved for another day - LOL!!

My DD started full time, 5 days per week at 1.5 years old in Toddler room, she just moved into CASA level (3-5 year olds) at before 2.5 years old. She is the youngest in the class, and is very sharp, extensive vocabulary, etc. Would she be this way if she had not gone to Montessori school so young? In our case, more than likely as I'm a teacher and our home is Montessori designed - things at her level, chooses her work, child centred, etc. At this stage, she is already doing work that her neigbour friends down the street are doing in JK and they are 4 years old. In our district (Canada), you are placed in the age appropriate (that's the problem with traditional school) grade level; therefore, she is not going to be attending her Catholic school (even though it's my own school board) for some time as she would be beyond that work as she is already doing things that students twice her age are doing. The transition phase from Montessori to traditional classes (if there is one, as many Montessori schools go to high school) is very important.

Our Montessori school is the best in the area - amazing teachers and the principal is out of this world - that means a lot coming from me since I am very strict about these things since I run a high school Special Education dept. myself. We pay approx. $800.00 CDN per month (summer is extra) and it is well worth it - my DD loves school and my hubby (my nieces and my best friend's DDs attend same school as well) and I coudn't be happier!

Tiger

Tiger926 - I noticed you are from Ontario too. What school does your daughter go to? My son is in a Montesorri school and was wondering if they may be in the same one. I know there are hundreds around, but I was just wondering!

 

[twinkletoesmom]

I am also a Montessori teacher and just have a few comments on the last post. Hopefully I can make this very short I could go on forever but I will try not to.
First of all lesson in Montessori are not all mostly closed ended. The first presentation may be, but the children do extensions with alot of the materials. They have many opportunities to be creative and create.
Second Montessori does teach the children to be independent ,but by doing this in no way takes away from any social interaction. The children learn how to play together. There are many group activities, works for two and works that teach social grace and kindness.
Last Montessori does focus alot on the academics. There is research that can support the fact that children have the ability to learn at an earlier age if given the opportunity. This knowledge helps there academic and social life in so many ways. The gem is that the most of the works are developed for the children to learn in game forms and in fun ways. Alot of the work really gives the children a concrete knowledge from hands-on learning. Just because the children are learning does not mean that they are not developing social skillls as well.
With all of this being said there are Montessori schools out there that may not be what true Montessori was intended to be. You can get a school that is run like a military or one that looks like there is no structure. Your best bet is to observe a classroom that you may be intrested in. Learn about what Montessori is from people who are trained Montessorians ( would you go to a dermatologist for your childs cold or a oil change place for a new engine) Read a montessori book or talk to a montessori teacher and hopefully you will get the info needed.
Also to answer your question as to why it so hard to get in it is usually because the classes are full. Also our school in Mi is $304 a mo for 3 1/2 days. Thank goodness for my teacher discount!

 

[twinkletoesmom]

Well I guess that I took to long and my response was not to the last post. But I think one of your questions were if 18 mo is too young. If you started at 18mo you child would be in a toddler class and in toddler class you would find baby dolls and more play items (although they may have a purpose like baby doll washing) Coming as a teacher It is never to early to get your child envolved in an enriching program. Coming as a mom Don't let them talk you into an all day 5 day program although it is good for the routine if you have the ability to stay home w/ your child you child reeps many benifits from that also!