Montessori Schools over Private Traditional?

Question

I am fighting the battle of whether to sent my son to a Private Christian School or to a Montessori School. He will be 4 this March which means he will be attending Pre-K. I have been reading up about the Montessori style of teaching. And I am afraid I will began to have disipline problems out of him from being in an environment that is not structured. Just looking for some comments from parents who has chosen that style of teaching over traditinal for there kids.

Answer 1

My children's first preschool was a "learn through play" environment. When we moved we tried Montessori. I found it to be a much more structured environment than one might expect. There are actually a lot of rules with the program, even though the kids are allowed to set their own pace. I also found the discipline to be intense. The students are required to exercise a great deal of self control. My kids (4 and 5 at the time) hated it. They are now in Catholic school and love it. You might want to just give Montessori a try for a few weeks to see if it is a good program for you and your son.

Also, for whatever it is worth, growing up, my neighbor went to Montessori. I went to Catholic school. He turned into a real snob. Later I finished undergrad in three and a half years and went on to complete law school. He flaked out, finally completed his degree, and works in a bookstore in Seattle. Not to say there is any correlation between this outcome and our schooling, or to pass judgment on either result, in fact he is probably having more fun, but you asked for comments.

Answer 2

Probably a better way to think about this choice is will my child thrive in that environment? You've already read up on the Montessori methodology, so you're aware it may not suit all children's personalities. It sounds like a great way to learn, but for some it is problematic. Children who are self starters (ie have no problem thinking up games to play, enjoy playing by themselves etc.) and able to stay on task do well in Montessori environments. Others who need coaching in how to get started, or help staying focused on the task at hand don't perform as well in the Montessori environment. Children who thrive with structure can feel a little out of control in a Montessori school. Conversely, highly creative children love the Montessori opportunity to "color outside of the lines" and not be pressured to follow a prescriptive school curriculum.

Answer 3

My best friend's brother went to Montessori and there are mixed reports. All children are not suitable for Montessori. For example, especially structured children don't feel comfortable in this kind of school, neither do independent or keep-to-themselves types. My friend's brother had a problematic time because in Montessori academic work is restricted and he wasn't learning much.

Answer 4

My oldest child was a late bloomer - by the time he was 3 he still had not spoken more than momma and daddy. We put him in Montessori and he thrived in the relaxed environment. He has been in private Catholic school since starting kindergarten (he is 8 now) and I feel that he did better in the Montessori setting - if for no other reason than he could set his own learning pace.

Hope my experience helps!

Answer 5

A Co-worker of mine put her kids through Montessori, and she had nothing but glowing reports (both her and her husband were PhDs, though, and they spent a lot of time with their kids).

Based on her talking about her kids and the Montessori system, I would consider it for my kids (if I had any, that is).

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Answer 6

I would send my child below 4 years old to montessori to learn to be independent. But above 4 years, I think it would be better for them to go to traditional kindergarten as they need to socialise and interact with peers, as these days, children come from small family. They also need to be familiar with 'school programmed' so they wont feel to much changes when they go to primary.