TTM about Montessori (warning: Parenting question)

CoffeeBeen

I've heard people say Montessori is a more structured approach to preschool, I've heard others say it's less structured.  Yet when I googled a description, it sounds just like the non-Montessori preschool attached to DS' daycare. 

So what's the deal with Montessori?  Is there any evidence that it's better/worse for kids?  What's the best age to start?

Edited: spelling

MrsWindyCity

Take this with a grain of salt because DS is in a Montessori school, but only since July. And we knew pretty much nothing about Montessori before starting (we didn't have a preference for it; it just ended up being the only daycare available after we spent eternities on other wait lists).

ANYWAY, Montessori is a little less "structured" IMO. Although they do have some group and teacher-led activities, a lot of it is basically letting the kid choose what s/he wants to do/work on, and just sort of letting them do their thing with guidance only when necessary. It teaches a lot of independence in that regard, and also in others (like, DS pretty much never took his shoes on/off before, and now he always puts his stuff away or throws napkins away, cleans up after himself if he spills, etc.). When they are done doing whatever they're doing, like a puzzle or what have you, they put it back and get something else (at least, at our school this is how it works). 

They seem to have a lot of activities that focus more on how things work - be it different kinds of puzzles, a dressing station, various things that show cause & effect, etc. In short, a lot of it is learn by doing vs. learn by listening/watching. 

Some people say it's better, some say it's worse because kids might have a hard time adjusting to a "regular" school when the time comes. For us, so far, it's been great. DS has learned a lot, is more polite, has a much easier time playing on his own, etc. That said, there is really no focus on playing with other kids and DS is very, very introverted so it certainly won't help him in that regard. 

Cbidt's girl

Pp gave a ton of great info. For my kids and my personal preference it wouldn't have been a good fit. Our kids were in Reggio schools, which I loved, however all styles have benefits and drawbacks.

CoffeeBeen

Thanks guys, that's a lot of great info!  I didn't realize that they weren't standardized.  And i have no clue what Reggio is - is that newer?

 In some ways the schools sound very divergent, but in other ways they feel very similar.  I'm still unsure what I'm leaning toward, I guess touring will help me decide.

Anyone else, feel free to chime in!  I'm undereducated when it comes to preschools.

frlcb

Cbidt's girl:

Pp gave a ton of great info. For my kids and my personal preference it wouldn't have been a good fit. Our kids were in Reggio schools, which I loved, however all styles have benefits and drawbacks.

I agree with this 100%. My kids thrive in Reggio, but I think that is because they do better in groups as opposed to individual. My nephew was in a Montessori school and he loved it. 

GrayGhost13

I'm very curious about Montessori, too, so I appreciate the information.

How do the Montessori teachers teach and, I hate to use this word but "enforce" the proper process? It's just so hard for me to imagine my kid playing in such an orderly manner (one activity at a time, putting things away immediately when they're done). I'm not even that focused! LOL

Do they have gentle ways of building that focus so the classroom is quiet and orderly or does Montessori just attract a certain kind of child or parent?

CoffeeBeen

This might be a dumb question - but since I'm clearly clueless, let me know what you think: 

given his age, DS has been really good at one-toy-at-a-time and putting toys away.  His DCP always says he likes to do things in the "right" order.  Do you think that means Montessori would be a good fit for him, or we should go non-Montessori since he already does those things?

shakes

MrsWindyCity:

Take this with a grain of salt because DS is in a Montessori school, but only since July. And we knew pretty much nothing about Montessori before starting (we didn't have a preference for it; it just ended up being the only daycare available after we spent eternities on other wait lists).

ANYWAY, Montessori is a little less "structured" IMO. Although they do have some group and teacher-led activities, a lot of it is basically letting the kid choose what s/he wants to do/work on, and just sort of letting them do their thing with guidance only when necessary. It teaches a lot of independence in that regard, and also in others (like, DS pretty much never took his shoes on/off before, and now he always puts his stuff away or throws napkins away, cleans up after himself if he spills, etc.). When they are done doing whatever they're doing, like a puzzle or what have you, they put it back and get something else (at least, at our school this is how it works). 

They seem to have a lot of activities that focus more on how things work - be it different kinds of puzzles, a dressing station, various things that show cause & effect, etc. In short, a lot of it is learn by doing vs. learn by listening/watching. 

Some people say it's better, some say it's worse because kids might have a hard time adjusting to a "regular" school when the time comes. For us, so far, it's been great. DS has learned a lot, is more polite, has a much easier time playing on his own, etc. That said, there is really no focus on playing with other kids and DS is very, very introverted so it certainly won't help him in that regard. 

Basically all of this. Except Montessori was our first choice and is affordable for us for now. I want to add that their day is very structured, at least at our school it is. They follow a daily schedule which includes 2 recesses, 2 snack, lunch and nap. DS is in the Casa program for toddlers. They have a 2 hour period that focuses on "Montessori Activities" which as MrsWindy said is very independent. DS has grown in leaps and bounds since he started there in July, it's pretty awesome.

CoffeeBeen

I just searched and we have both in our area; so, in general, how does Reggio differ from Montessori? 

frlcb

CoffeeBeen:

I just searched and we have both in our area; so, in general, how does Reggio differ from Montessori? 

A big difference (they have similar roots) is that Montessori education is very focused on the individual child (self directed activity), while Reggio is more group centered, as in the class as a group chooses the 'project' the class will work on throughout the year, there are 2 teachers, and they work as 'recorders' of the class, not instructing them but inviting them to take part in play and activities that are part of the project. It is totally child led, but collaboratively more so than individually. A big part of it is the 100 languages of children (https://www.little-learners-childcare.co.uk/Library/Images/Pages/file/the-hundred-languages-children.pdf). There is a lot of observing and documenting that goes on in Reggio schools.

Traditionally Reggio only went from birth to 6, which is why you rarely find a school beyond kindergarten that is Reggio. 

This explains it pretty good (ignore the Waldorf part, that is just weird)

https://naturalparentsnetwork.com/approaches-to-natural-learning-montessori-reggio-emilia-and-waldorf/

 

 

CoffeeBeen

How on earth do a group of toddlers choose a project?  I'm intrigued.

But I'm also feeling grossly unqualified to make this decision.  I'm growing more and more undecided.  Does someone else want to raise my child? LMK.

MrsWindyCity

fredalina:

One "negative" that parents need to be prepared for is that you give up a lot of control over your child. Not to the school but to the child. You won't get detailed reports of how much your child ate, exactly what they worked on, cute art/craft projects, how many times your child pooped or peed, or even if your child pushed a child or was pushed. You will be told of consistent behavioral or other concerns, but not the small stuff. Kind of like elementary school. It can be a culture shock for some parents coming from daycares that give, really, too much info.

This was actually a very difficult adjustment for us, because his old DCP would give us a TON of info and we don't really get that any more. We're used to it now and I know if we asked specific questions they would answer and whatnot, but it was definitely hard for us at first. 

MrsWindyCity

CoffeeBeen:

This might be a dumb question - but since I'm clearly clueless, let me know what you think: 

given his age, DS has been really good at one-toy-at-a-time and putting toys away.  His DCP always says he likes to do things in the "right" order.  Do you think that means Montessori would be a good fit for him, or we should go non-Montessori since he already does those things?

DS is very similar, and it's been great for us. He is very much a routine/structure kid, loves order and numbers, etc.  It's not really about doing things in order/putting toys away as much as it is about them choosing their activity/focus, and getting as much time as they want to work on it. I've noticed that not only will DS play more independently now, but he also seems to like pretend play a lot more, is really excited/proud when he can do new things (like zip his jacket or put on his shoes or whatever), is much more polite, and is starting to talk more about emotions.