Thoughts on Montessori

harlos40

Hi ladies!  I am thinking of switching LO from her current in-home daycare to a local Montessori school.  My primary reason for wanting to switch her from the in-home daycare to somewhere else is that she seems very bored, and the provider doesn't do any structured activity whatsoever.  

 I visited a local Montessori school and was very impressed with the program overall, but I don't have any experience with Montessori.  I'm just looking for any insight on Montessori, good or bad.  Thanks!

kattyleigh

Montessori is great!  Just make sure it is a licensed Montessori.  Probably will cost a bit more.

Sunidaze

Dh's son went to a montessori school up to jr high and from what he has told me about i was impressed but don't know how the montessori style daycare works.

Shine2015

We have not had to put our LO into daycare yet but when he was first born I looked at one before I decided to take an extended leave.  Everything seemed to be very structured - lots of activities.  At the time I was only looking for a half day option and while they offered that, they didn't like to because the kids would miss the structured learning time.  While I think that is great for older kids, at 2 months old I really didn't think my son was going to miss all that much.  But now that I am thinking of returning to work, I would for sure put him into a Montessori.  It will be a little more money, but well worth it after checking into other daycare centers.

rattlecanqueen

I worked at a Montessori school while I was in college as an assistant. I love the Montessori philosophy! It's not structured but is freedom within limits. The class has purposeful materials that the children are free to chose as they please. IMO Montessori children have more authentic knowledge that they understand than their traditional pre K counterparts. There isn't memorization, and the philosophy allows children to learn more organically/fluidly when they are allowed to choose what materials they want to work with. Just know, they learn their alphabet phonetically, so they don't say this is the letter "B," but rather this is the letter "buh." They call the materials "work" bc that's what it is, vs. just toys to occupy time. I drank the KoolAid and most people do. That turned into a long gushy post sorry. Like pp said, "Montessori" is in the public domain so make sure the center is AMS or AMI certified as well as the lead teachers. Hth!

MammaBear81

We haven't done Daycare, by my older children went part time to their preschool programs and we love it!  Although Montessori is a philosophy each school is different, so going in and seeing what's going on is important.  We have wonderful teachers and I think that's what makes a good daycare/pre school experience.  GL!

aztoid2006

My DS goes to a Montessori school.  I love that they do things based on development, not age.  His teacher is very knowledgable about how infants and toddlers develop.  Like PP said, there are not toys but learning materials.  There is nothing electronic for him to play with. 

As much as I like the Montessori program, I would personally not keep my child in it past pre-kindergarten.  But that also has to do wiht my perspective as a public school teacher.

rattlecanqueen

aztoid2006:

My DS goes to a Montessori school.nbsp; I love that they do things based on development, not age.nbsp; His teacher is very knowledgable about how infants and toddlers develop.nbsp; Like PP said, there are not toys but learning materials.nbsp; There is nothing electronic for him to play with.nbsp;
As much as I like the Montessori program, I would personally not keep my child in it past prekindergarten.nbsp; But that also has to do wiht my perspective as a public school teacher.

I totally agree! I'm a state cert. Elem. Teacher, and cannot wrap my brain around going to a Montessori based school past kdg at the latest.

amberpro

I had a response all typed up for this last night when my computer died and now everyone has pretty much covered it, lol

1.  Shine... are you sure the school you're speaking of is Montessori?  Maria Montessori's philosophy is based on a non-structured environment of discovery and exploration.  

2.  I think Montessori is an excellent early childhood program.  Really helps a child become an independent learner and problem solver.  

3.  I agree with PPs, though, that I wouldn't want my child in a school like that once they reach 1st grade.  I think a little more structure is important once a child hits a certain level.  Although I feel good public (and private) school teachers should take some of her philosophy and  research into their lessons.  

4.  Know that not all children thrive in a Montessori environment, either.  Most do well at a young age, but all kids are different, and some children (even early childhood) require a little more structure to learn effectively.   At this age, though, I don't think you have to worry about that.  

harlos40

You ladies are awesome!  Thanks so much for all your thoughts and advice!