How do I know if Montessori school program suits my child?

Hi M.,

It's been many years since I looked at Montessori schools but I'll tell you what I know. I found that each one was very different. In one, they were so into independent learning that the kids didn't seems to work together. I know people who sent their kids to another and thought it was wonderful. My daughter went to a private school through 8th grade and I was very satisfied with it. There are other private schools around, too, so I would go observe them all.

V.

I've been teaching Montessori for the last 18 years and love it. I think it's the best method for teaching young children not only because it is child friendly but because the teachers are required to be more highly trained. I run a part time program in Culver City called My Friends' Montessori preschool coop. Tuesday and Wednesday are drop off days from 9:30-12:30 and Thursday is always a field trip. If you would like to learn more email me at ____@____.com preschools need to be visited before you make a choice and you will feel the right fit when you see it. Not all Montessori programs are good, you have to be selective. B. Wacker ###-###-####

Hi M.. I am a teacher and have taught in the elementary grades. I think you have to go visit to find out for yourself...
BUT, I will tell you what my experience as a public school teacher was. Whenever we would get a new student and they preschooled at Montessori... the teachers would grumble. Nobody ever wanted the Montessori kids because they had a reputation of having difficulty following the structure of the classroom (public) after having very little teacher-directed structure in Montessori.
I think creativity-wise and brain-development-wise, Montessori's are great at fostering young minds. But, public schools do not function that way. Students need to be able to sit and listen to directions given by the teacher. It could be a difficult transition from Montessori to public schools.
Hope that helps a little.

S.

Our son attended a Montessori school but the philosophy of teaching wasn't right for him. Some children do quite well and some don't. Ultimately it depends on the school, the teacher and your child. Our son is not what would be defined as "typical" what that means exactly I honestly don't know. He's very intelligent, has no fear and challenges everyone...I thought that was typical boy but the Montessori philosophy didn't seem to think so. From what I saw (I actually worked for the company that had the program)...if you have a child that likes to play alone or has the capability of asking other children to join them in play by the age of 2 1/2 it's all fine and dandy...except for the kids who don't have that concept down and end up being removed from play for joining play that they weren't invited to join. That just irritated me.

It's always worth a try and you won't know until you try because kids are different and what works for one doesn't always work for another and vice versa.

M.,
I went to public schools all my life and never even knew of Montessori. Until my hubby...his parents are both Montessori teaachers and owned a school here in Camarillo for 25 years. Our 2 year old goes to Montessori Learning Center in Ventura and absolutely loves it! As my hubby was Montessori trained already I had to do my own research. It really seems like a great method, focusing on each childs individuality, letting them go at their pace, putting them with older kids for help, etc... My daughters class is 2-4 years and I always find the older kids helping her read, color, and do puzzles. She learns "real life" at school...she puts away her placemat, pushes in her chair, and is very outgoing with children of all ages. I like that they let her be "her" and are very patient in getting her to the next levels of learning. All the best! Good luck! S.

My 3 year old son is enrolled in a Montessori preschool and we love the system for him. We will keep him in Montessori preschool, but at kindergarten, he will begin at a public school. I suppose it depends on your child, but my son loves learning and I think, for him, the Montessori preschool is fostering that love. We chose Montessori because of his independent learning style or personality, if you will. He does not thrive as well in a setting where one is required to do what the group is doing (before anyone reads too much into that comment, we understand that it is necessary to sometimes conform to the group to thrive). I guess my point is that you could investigate Montessori schools and see if you think they would be a good fit for your child and you. I'm very happy with the learning style and how the classroom tools foster development of his fine motor skills.

I don't have personal experience with a Montessori school but from what I know and from knowing a few people that went through the system, if there was one near me, I'd at least give it a try!
M.

I would only recommend using them for preschool time and not beyond. I taught 4th grade my first year and had a couple of montessori school girls in my class and they were VERY VERY VERY behind in their education. The way montessori works is that they work at the child's level so they aren't really pushing the kids like they should be. Why not a private school preschool as well????

Be very careful of Montessori Schools because they are privately owned and they just pay for the name. My friend's daughter (just turned 2) had an accident there recently where her arm was broken and they lied about it. My friend asked them what happened because her daughter kept complaining that her arm hurt and usually she doesn't complain about anything and they told her that she was just playing rough with the other kids and that's all. But my friend listened to her daughter and took her to the doctor right away and they did an X-ray and told her that it was a buckle fracture, meaning that she must have fallen off from a high place, and that the people at the facility must be lying to my friend. So my friend spoke to the supervisor and she said that her daughter jumped off a child's desk or something (that was low) and must have bumped her arm. My friend reported them to the state and had them investigated and they had 6 violations on top of previous violations. So often times people are misled by the "Montessori" name, thinking that it's a good school but remember that they are privately owned. Just check it out well and find out if they've had prior violations. I hope this helps. Take care.

I would concur that you need to interview them thoroughly. I went to Montessori School (in Ventura) as a child and it was the best experience for me. I was able to skip 2nd grade after going through that program. But as an adult I have seen other Montessori schools and was not impressed. It all depends on the director and who the director hires. I saw one that basically looked like daycare, whereas my experience was highly organized.

But by all means, keep your kids out of public school! Beginning in 3rd grade I was in public school the rest of my education, and I feel it really stunted me and gave me a lot of bad influences. It's so overly PC and ego-centered rather than education-centered. And I know it's worse now than when I was there not that many years ago (I'm 23 now).

Best of luck!

D.

I don't know that I should even be commenting on this because I don't have all my facts straight. But, I do remember when I was working on my master's degree in early childhood education using DAP (Developmentally Appropriate Practices), Montessori was considered non-DAP. I don't remember the why's. My son's kindergarten teacher whom I LOVE is at a private school. Her grandkids go to montessori and she complains that they know all their states, but they don't learn songs and do "pre-school/kindergarten" things. I have been on blogs and heard parents who are big believers in the system. So, I would go into the classroom (unannounced if possible) and observe. Good luck!

Hi M.

I am a mother of a 17 yr old daughter & a 3 yr old daughter. They are as different as night & day. My oldest daughter was unable to attend a Montessori school because of lack of funds. However, I always wanted her to attend one because every child that I had seen go thru that program had been higher achievers. I am seeing a big difference in how my second daughter is progressing compared to the first who only started school in preK.

They are not just learning reading, writing & math. They are learning valuable life skills. Most children when placed in regular school after attending Montessori schools are at the top of their class.

You should go and view a class in progress and see for yourself before deciding between public & private. I am very happy with the school my daughter is attending. She attends the Montessori in Rancho Cucamonga on 9th & Archibald.

The teachers spend special one on one time with each student helping them to develope their skills. If one is a bit behind they along with the older students in the class work with them until the child gets it. My daughter is a mentor in her class. When a 3 yr old can learn to be patient & kind helping those who need help and understanding that they are only helping not doing it for someone else, to me that should say it all.

Hope that helps!
B.

Montessori is expensive but worth every cent.

i dont mean to sound negative on this type of schooling but i do not agree with it. their teaching methods strike me as odd. this is what i found on this web site- http://www.michaelolaf.net/1CW312MI.html

Multi-aged Grouping, based on Periods of Development: Children are grouped in three or six-year spans and have the same teacher for this period
(are you telling me that the child doesnt meet new kids for 3 or 6 years? and that the teacher is qualified in every subjuect they have to learn?)

Teaching Method: There are no text books, and seldom will two or more children be studying the same thing at the same time. Children learn directly from the environment, and from other children—rather than from the teacher. The teacher is trained to teach one child at a time, with a few small groups and almost no lessons given to the whole class. She is facile in the basic lessons of math, language, the arts and sciences, and in guiding a child's research and exploration, capitalizing on interests and excitement about a subject. Large groups occur only in the beginning of a new class, or in the beginning of the school year, and are phased out as the children gain independence. The child is scientifically observed, observations recorded and studied by the teacher. Children learn from what they are studying individually, but also from the amazing variety of work that is going on around them during the day.
(how can a child learn when there seem to be no other child learning the same thing as they are? this seems like the children teach themselves! if the children learn from the environment why send them to school in the first place? it sounds like the classroom is too busy i dont see how any child could learn in it)

Class Size: The most successful 3-6 or 6-12 classes are of 30-35 children to one teacher, with one non teaching assistant, this number reached gradually over 1-3 years. This provides the most variety of personalities, learning styles, and work being done at one time. This class size is possible because the children learn from each other and stay with the same teacher for three to six years. .
(these class sizes are too big. how can they make sure every child is learning the needed material?)

i can really go on and on. i think a private school may be good for preschool but thats it. it really seems like with this schooling that the children will be behind in their learning. how ever you are mom and will do what you think is best for your child. i just cant agree with a school that gives a child the choice of what they want to learn. anyways i hope you find they right decision for your kids no matter what way it goes.

My son started at Wonder Years Montessori in Arcadia when he was 3 1/2. He turned 5 yesterday. He is now learning to read, and doing basic addition and is a great printer. Each child works at their own pace in these areas as well as with motor skill developing projects. The projects and activities develop the muscles in their hands for better writing, drawing, coloring. I see a big difference in these skills compared to his older cousins in public schools. The school in divided by age. My son's birthday is in April so he started the kindergarden class at 4 years old. I have been happy with his development here. Just know that every Montessori school is very different. Ulitimately the choice is made by how you feel about the teachers and viewing the children's behaviors. Bring your little girl and see how she responds.