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RP: Montessori Preschool?

proudarmywife08proudarmywife08
in Pre-School and Daycare
Anyone have any experience with a Montessori preschool? I'm considering putting DD in one. What should I consider, ask, think about, etc before doing it? It is a 4 day program for half days.
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Re: RP: Montessori Preschool?

  • JOEBunnyJOEBunny member

    My BFF's DD went for 3 years to preschool there.  She loved it and thrives.  My DD would not be a good candidate.  I would ask them about how things are set up there, what they expect, how rigid their structure is, how much imaginative play there is, verses "work", just the general structure of the program, what ages are in the classroom, how many of each age, what type of certification the teachers have, what the expectations of parents are (my BFF was expected not to allow TV at home or Character clothing).  My BFF's DD is highly motivated to please people, enjoys structure and helping others, which I think made her very successful there.

    It can be a great program for the right kid.  Unfortunately, my DD isn't a good candidate.  

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  • SymphonyGirlSymphonyGirl member

    My 3 year old DS Ethan is in Montessori and LOVES it!  I really like that kids can learn at their own pace.  Related to that, one thing that we like is that many Montessoris mix age groups for preschoolers.  My son's class has 8 3-year-olds, 8 4-year-olds, and 4 5-year-olds.   We like this because DS is really ahead academically (reading and doing simple math) and can learn stuff with the older kids, but he needs the social time with the littler kids.  My mom has told me that my brother, who had a learning disability, also really thrived in Montessori because of the hands-on learning methods.  I don't want to make it sound like it's all academics, though, because it's really all learning through play.  For Ethan, it seems like everything about school is fun. 

    We also really like the "practical life" section of the program, where they learn useful skills, like pouring, cutting, buttoning, zipping, stuff like that.  It gives DS a lot of confidence to be able to do things for himself - he is so proud when he can show off the stuff he has learned! 

    PP mention of no TV or character clothing has not been our experience.  The only area that they have ever placed restrictions like that is that you can't send kids to school in clothing that promotes/depicts violence - no costumes with guns at Halloween and that kind of thing.   

    As with any childcare setting, I think it's more important to see how happy and active the kids are more than any other questions you can ask.   

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  • proudarmywife08proudarmywife08

    Thanks for the help ladies! We decided to go with the Montessori school. DD loved it there and I love that its mixed ages 3-5 year olds, that she will learn practical things (they set out their own snack, put on their slippers themselves, etc) and study units about lots of things. Right now they're doing sheep, potato, and Europe. How cool :)

    I'm excited for her to start!

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