Montessori-Thoughts? Experience? Please share

buzzbee24 · January 2014

Just toured a Montessori academy in my local area. Considering sending DS there in the fall. I really liked what I saw. Does anyone out there have any experience with children in Montessori? How does it truly compare to a traditional pre-school in your opinion? TIA for any info.

MrsWindyCity · January 2014

DS1 has been in a Montessori since he was 2 (he's almost 4). We LOVE it. He has really flourished. We just moved last week, and we sought out a Montessori even though it's kind of a PITA for us commute wise (DS2 is now also in a Montessori since they go to the same place, but I don't know how much you can really do with an infant.

The biggest difference between it and traditional pre-school is that Montessori is child-led. They have "working time" where they pick out whatever they want to "work" on and learn about, put it back, and then get something else. They do a lot with life skills - everything from washing dishes to getting themselves ready - and nature--they learn about species (seriously, my kid calls butterflies by their species name and I'm like, huh? lol), they garden, they go on nature walks. Another difference is mixed age classrooms so the younger kids can learn from the older kids and the older ones can teach them things.

They do plenty of group activities and follow the teacher for some things, but it is very different than a traditional "classroom" and I will admit I do worry a bit about the transition when he starts school. We haven't decided yet if we will leave him in Montessori for kindergarten.

kmornelas29 · January 2014

I am a teacher and have worked in both settings. Personally, I didn't like what I saw from many of the Montessori teachers, and as a result, would never put my daughter in one of the schools. Perhaps, I happened to land in one school that I just didn't like, but overall, I would say no. Everyone will have their good and bad experiences, so do what is right for you. You can always pull LO out if you don't like what you see.

I am sending my LO to a private pre school in our area that is highly recognized. There program is great! Thats what works for us though, so do what works for you.

P.S. My DD is not anywhere near preschool ready, but I was lurking, and as I teacher, I thought I would give my input. GL

minervacullen · January 2014

DS went to a traditional style preschool that we paid a fair amount for. Then we put him in a lottery at a Montessori for k-12, it's only Montessori k-5. This school is rated the number 2 school in our state and has been rated one of the top 200 in the country.
He miraculously got in, there's only 42 students per grade and several hundred applied for K. He's in 1st grade now. I absolutely LOVE it! It's a more hands on approach to learning. The teachers at his school have to have extra learning in the Montessori method.
For example, in a traditional school you learn the town you live in, then state, then country, and so on. He learns the universe, earth, continents, country, state, and finally town. They focus on the whole, how things work together and connect. Like with insects they learned how crucial a bee is to the rest of the earth.
They encourage independence and respect. In K they had a kids sized kitchen area with apples, oranges, and pickles stocked so the children were able to get a snack if they needed one.
I just can't say enough great things.

Meery82 · January 2014

kmornelas29 said:

I am a teacher and have worked in both settings. Personally, I didn't like what I saw from many of the Montessori teachers, and as a result, would never put my daughter in one of the schools. Perhaps, I happened to land in one school that I just didn't like, but overall, I would say no. Everyone will have their good and bad experiences, so do what is right for you. You can always pull LO out if you don't like what you see.

I am sending my LO to a private pre school in our area that is highly recognized. There program is great! Thats what works for us though, so do what works for you.

P.S. My DD is not anywhere near preschool ready, but I was lurking, and as I teacher, I thought I would give my input. GL

Could you please elaborate on what you didn't like about it?

LSU628 · January 2014

DD has been in Montessori since age 2. She's never been in a traditional style, so I really can't compare the two. She has learned a lot- Spanish, she knows all of the different continents. She's finished her teacher's k books and is now moving on to the level 1 (although I attribute a lot of that to my mom since she works a lot with her). Every month they have a different artist, composer so it's more than just the traditional ABCs and 123s. They have a lot of sensory centers, she learned to "prick" to learn the proper writing grasp, she has learned to be responsible for her work and putting away things when she is done. She also knows to clear her space on the table when she is done, how to fold her blankets and pick up her mat when nap time is done- they've really established the responsibility for self.

emberlee3 · January 2014

My children's school is heavily Montessori-influenced, but not pure Montessori. They emphasize child-led learning, mixed ages so children help and learn from each other, self-care, independence, etc. I love it.

foreverapartofme · January 2014

I do work in a school under the umbrella of special education. Truthfully, my only experience with Montessori are those kids who came to us in third grade from Montessori unable to read and ended up on IEPs. From what I've seen, some kids tend to avoid the things that they find to be difficult and will go to preferred tasks such as finger crocheting, community activity groups, art, science and avoid reading.

I think Montessori offers an interesting method in which it teaches. The particular Montessori in my area though, it seems that not enough is pushed on basic reading and writing skills if a child would rather pursue other areas of interest. I think if your child is bright and you have no family history of dyslexia, go for it! I think a lot of families love Montessori and want to encourage that creative based learning. I would give it a try but just closely monitor. I think the perfect fit for each child is different so best of luck with whatever you choose!

BLPL101 · January 2014

foreverapartofme said:

I do work in a school under the umbrella of special education. Truthfully, my only experience with Montessori are those kids who came to us in third grade from Montessori unable to read and ended up on IEPs. From what I've seen, some kids tend to avoid the things that they find to be difficult and will go to preferred tasks such as finger crocheting, community activity groups, art, science and avoid reading.

I think Montessori offers an interesting method in which it teaches. The particular Montessori in my area though, it seems that not enough is pushed on basic reading and writing skills if a child would rather pursue other areas of interest. I think if your child is bright and you have no family history of dyslexia, go for it! I think a lot of families love Montessori and want to encourage that creative based learning. I would give it a try but just closely monitor. I think the perfect fit for each child is different so best of luck with whatever you choose!

That's interesting. I am dyslexic and so is my mom so I'm going to watch DD closely.

minervacullen · January 2014

foreverapartofme said:
I do work in a school under the umbrella of special education. Truthfully, my only experience with Montessori are those kids who came to us in third grade from Montessori unable to read and ended up on IEPs. From what I've seen, some kids tend to avoid the things that they find to be difficult and will go to preferred tasks such as finger crocheting, community activity groups, art, science and avoid reading.

I think Montessori offers an interesting method in which it teaches. The particular Montessori in my area though, it seems that not enough is pushed on basic reading and writing skills if a child would rather pursue other areas of interest. I think if your child is bright and you have no family history of dyslexia, go for it! I think a lot of families love Montessori and want to encourage that creative based learning. I would give it a try but just closely monitor. I think the perfect fit for each child is different so best of luck with whatever you choose!

DS has a work load that he must complete daily, some times he needs a little push, but they don't allow the kids to slack. My mil works at a public elementary by us and is always commenting on how her first graders can't do what DS can.
Fwiw they don't have crochet... They have normal daily specials like art, gym, Spanish.. And if a student needs extra reading help they go to reading once a day. DS even had speech to help with "L".

SingleMom31 · January 2014

I don't have first hand experience with Montessori, but thought I'd share why we picked something else. We looked into all three of the major curriculums, and decided that the HighScope method was better for us. We really like the routine, which seems to help DD even at a year, and I prefer the trial and error approach rather than repetition. Also, I'm also dyslexic and there is a decent chance our DD will be too. The research behind HS's early readers program does include a discussion of dyslexic students and trying to identify/address problems as early as possible. Anyway, it's nowhere near as well known as M, so of you want to read about the differences, here's a good article: https://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=367

RedDDD · January 2014

Both my brother and I were in Montessori until 3rd grade. I went to public school starting 4th grade and both of us were in advanced classes and learned to read just fine. So Im not sure what the other PP was talking about and like others have said it really depends on the individual school. I really like the philosophy and my son who has been in a Montessori for the last five months has really blossomed. His language has exploded, he speaks some words in Spanish, and we have noticed a major difference in his overall behavior. I will say I think in my sons case it is a perfect fit for him. He is one of those kids that needs constant interaction and activity. He is also a routine kid (I know most kids are but he heavily relies on a routine) so the structure, though independent, is good for him. I picked him up early the other day and they were saying the names of all the continents. These are kids under age 2! I love the practical work they do too. They set the table before lunch, they learn to pour water into a glass, they say please and thank you. For us it has been great. GL!

CarolynTheRed · January 2014

The one thing I hesitate on about Montessori is the idea of a "reality based curriculum" (one of the schools' websites used this term). Basically, in pure Montessori, imaginative/pretend play is devalued or even discouraged.

I've asked the teachers when I've toured preschools, and get different responses, and many do understand why I ask. But especially for a toddler, it's a concern for me.

desertmouse39 · January 2014

I was Montessori schooled from preschool through 2nd grade and entered public school in 3rd only because our Montessori didn't go higher. I loved it and feel it was a great way to approach my education. I don't recall any limits on imaginative or creative play, and in fact most of the kids from my class went on to be in accelerated learning programs. I think you have to look at the particular school's program and how it matches your child's needs (my brother was not a good fit and attended public school right from the start), but I hope to have both my girls in Montessori programs, at least for the first few years.

emberlee3 · January 2014

CarolynTheRed said:

The one thing I hesitate on about Montessori is the idea of a "reality based curriculum" (one of the schools' websites used this term). Basically, in pure Montessori, imaginative/pretend play is devalued or even discouraged.

I've asked the teachers when I've toured preschools, and get different responses, and many do understand why I ask. But especially for a toddler, it's a concern for me.

I agree, and this is one of the reasons I am happy that my children's school is not pure Montessori.

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