Do you have any experience Montessori schools?

Question

I have a 2 and 4 year old and there are several of these schools in the Macon, GA area where we live. I'm interested to see if anyone has had children attend this type of learning enviornment. Or has anyone taught in this type of school?

Answer 1

I'm a montessori music teacher, working in two preschools.

Montessori is unique in that it is multi-aged, so a 2.5 yo will be learning along side a 5 or 6 yo. It is very hands on, with lots of "manipulatives" type of work. There is a heavy focus on the natural world, the environment and different cultures (for instance, children work on maps of the world and will focus on a particular culture. Last year, one of my schools did a unit on Japan. This year, they are doing Greece).

The teachers are quite strict. Montessori students are expected to behave in a certain fashion. The class rooms are very quiet and well organized (not loud and chaotic like some preschools).

Compared to a mainstream play- or pre-school, there is more academic work in a montessori school. Whereas in a mainstream preschool, children learn primarily through play, in a montessori school, children really do a lot of academic work. They also do things like learn to polish shoes, sweep a floor, and other weird "life skills" like clean coins with a toothbrush. That part I don't really understand (perhaps its used to improve fine motor skills)

Is there long term benefits to montessori education? That's a judgement call each parent needs to make for themselves.

My youngest son didn't attend any preschool whatsoever. Instead, he spent the time at home with me, engaged in the daily activities of running a household (chores, shopping etc). He is now in grade 1, and academically at the top of his class (mind you, his other two brothers are gifted, so it may be a genetic thing). I have a number of piano students that did montessori in preschool and have continued through elementary school. Frankly, I don't notice much (if any) between the montessori kids and the "regular" kids. They aren't any smarter, more disciplined, better behaved than kids who aren't montessori students. In fact (and this may be a coincident) some of my montessori students are rather poorly behaved.

Answer 2

I am a trained Montessorian in the 2.5-6 age group. Like answers before me, the best thing to do is go to observe and see what you think. The name Montessori can be used by anyone unfortunately and there are many, many schools who do not follow the philosophy. The best part about a Montessori classroom is the children are extremely independent, but there are limitations of course and they know that. Also, everything is individualized...there is no comparing to other children. All children develop and grow at their own pace and there is no pressure. They will amaze you with what they will learn to do from polishing, cutting vegetables, adding/subtracting/multiplying/dividing, reading, writing, and use amazing spatial skills. It is a very well rounded curriculum. With your daughter being 21 months, you would be enrolling in a toddler program, getting ready for Primary. Check out to see if the teacher is trained in the toddler class because that can make a big difference. And of course, see if the Primary teachers are trained. You want someone trained! Check out to see what affiliation the school has with Montessori organizations. The two main organizations are AMI (Association of Montessori Internationale) and AMS (American Montessori Society). These are the same organizations that are the most well known for teacher training. And lastly, if you are really interested in it, check out the book, "How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way." It gives excellent advice to parents and really explains some of the philosophy without using too many educational terms. I hope you love it!!

Answer 3

I had two children go through the preschool Montessori system--one thrived, the other did not enjoy it. I think the reason the one thrived in this environment is that she is very task oriented, very independent--the other lacked social skills and Montessori's emphasis is not really about the social skills. He is also not a self-starter, so having to find his own way around and finding motivation was difficult for him. If I had to do it over, I'd have sent my boy to a play-based preschool. My girl though, loved Montessori...

I have an acquaintance who has older children in a Montessori elementary school. One of her children, who is 8, still cannot read. Now I can't say for sure that this child does not have a problem developmentally or a learning disability, but it is disturbing to me that she can't read yet--and this acquaintance is thinking that when she is ready, she'll learn to read on her own. I'm a bit skeptical about the Montessori experience for elementary school age kids--I would think the child would need to be very goal oriented, a self-starter, and the parent would need to be very involved in the education of the child to ensure that the child was covering what was necessary....

Answer 4

My best friend had her son at a Montessori school. At first she was thrilled with the idea of him being able to address his teacher by her first name and complete allowance of the child to work at their own pace in their own way (simplified version of how it works). She pulled him out after 2 years. Because of his nature he became a little terror and quite arrogant. Since being in a regular school he has learned respect, manners and is a much calmer, happier little boy. I think it would definitely depend on the child - for a very gifted, perhaps quite mature or sensitive child it may be very successful - but for her little guy, it was a nightmare.

Answer 5

you can learn more here, for starters:

http://www.montessori.edu/

http://www.michaelolaf.net/

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/archive/index.php/t-416809.html
(this last is a parent's forum discusing its pros and cons)