Do you see an advantage or value in Montessori preschool and kindergarten?

Question

Hello,
Our 4 year old daughter is in her first year of Montessori preschool. We plan on keeping her in this program for one more year of preschool and then for Kindergarten. I don't think we'll continue with Montessori-style education for elementary though. I have read quite a bit about it and I definitely like it though it is expensive at $285 month for 3 mornings/ week. Does anyone have any feedback/experience to how their child fared with Montessori preschool/kindergarten compared to a play-based preschool? Thanks!

Answer 1

I’m a public elementary Montessori teacher. My program is in one of the public schools in my district so it has become quite easy to compare traditional and Montessori education.

To begin with my students are primarily a mixture of second language, low income, minority students. Many come with labels such as ADD, Asperger’s, and dyslexia. Many come in below grade level, and yet, by the end of the year they consistently out score not only a similar make up of students, but the white upper middle class students, (they are in a another school in my district), and the children in our Gifted and Talented Program(Supposedly the best and brightest in our district.).

Besides their high test scores, other teachers have noticed that the children in the Montessori classrooms have greater self confidence, are intrinsically motivated, take responsibility for their learning, have a higher vocabulary, and are better at conflict resolution.

In the 10 years that our program has been in existence, over 95 percent of the students who have gone all the way through our program (k-5) have been placed in accelerated classes when they entered middle school; this is especially amazing when we remember the “labels” that they come to us with.

Lastly, our 2/3 Montessori students were tested this year in history and geography by an outside source. Their scores were amazing. Their knowledge of history was on a high school level while their geography knowledge rivaled most college graduates.

If you don’t want to take my word for it, then read the December 4, 2006 article titled Montessori the Early Years: Evaluating Montessori Education in the Journal of Science by Angeline Lillard. This research was not done on my program so you can see that the statistics that I quoted are not an aberration, but rather the norm.

If you are having a hard time making the tuition payment, as Maria said, try looking for public Montessori in your area, there are more and more of them each year.

Answer 2

Both my children could read by age 3 due to Montessori Methods. As impressive as I felt with a toddler on my hip in the grocery store who could point out "Look mom! Buy one, get one free!" the best thing about Maria Montessori's guidance is "respect for the child." Her methods allow a child to find learning to be fun. Mathematics are taught in such a way that they are easier for the child to grasp, literally, since everything taught co responds to an object the child can hold in his hand. I kept the eldest in Montessori through the 3rd grade, but I am not sure it is superior after that age. But the benefits to that point are well worth your money and will last a lifetime.

Answer 3

If you don't feel that Montessori is right for your child, then by all means, move her, but I think it's right to let her finish her primary years in the same school. You should look into public Montessori schools in your area if you are concerned about the price. What exactly do you object to?

Answer 4

I personally was in a montessori preschool, then moved on to regular public school. When I started in Kindergarten, I was immediately placed in a Talented and Gifted program and continued to be successful all throughout school and college. So I think it was the best choice for me to be placed in a regular school after preschool. You have already got a strong foundation set for her education now, she should be quite succesful in education. The first primary years are so important and so it is good that you spent the money to start her out strong. Now she should just continue to blossom! Good luck!

Answer 5

I believe that that the Montessori teaching works best when applied at a younger age. I do not think that it is as important later on as the basic groundwork has already been set in place. After the age of 6 years old it is less effective.