Is Montessori Worth the Hassle?

Ok, this is coming from someone who has Montessori training and can really get into the description of what it is all about. First of all, I can't begin to tell you there have been studies on the brain in respect to the development and Montessori education. One neurobiologist states that the brain has more active parts to it from the very specific laid out process of a montessori education. There is a very specific reason for the Montessori set up and including the schedule. The goal of a Montessori program is to get a child to be independent and confident in the things they do on a daily basis. It is not just about sending them to a preschool or letting them run around. It is about having trained professionals who have gone through a very rigorous training, I can tell you from experience that it isn't taken lightly when it comes to the needs and development of a child. It should be taken very seriously, right? We want the best for our children.

I don't want to tell you that other programs aren't worth it too, but you should know the benefits of Montessori are outstanding. Rather than going off of opinion, listen to your own instincts, maybe find out a bit more about it if you want, but it needs to benefit the family as a whole, not just your mother or mother in law.

I seriously could go on for a while about what it brings the child, but if you are talking primary you are really paying for a child to learn to work out some really important developmental moments that Montessori teachers have been trained to recognize and bring out within the child for success of them feeling that they can do it, because trust me, the want to. Think about the child who wants to help with the dishes, water plants, fold laundry, there is a reason for that and the Montessori classroom for primary has been set up for all that exploring. Plus, the idea is that they are even learning how to count and read. That is a great preparation for elementary to come.

Hope it helps

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PLease don't think i'm cruel---but I think it is more important that your children spend more time with you, than in daycare or activities. To send to a "special" school, seems a little over the top,esp. to be spending that kind of money for school & daycare for a 3yr old & a 19 yr old baby. ----If they are already in daycare, and you want to/ (or have to) workm leave them there. To bring them to an expensive school, then pick them up on your lunch hour, which doesn't give them any time with you---and because you're hustling to get there--you'll exude frustration, & exasperation, plus disrupt their day. I say leave them where they are, or get a night job, like me, so you can focus on their needs, and nurture them, and give them a loving and sound foundation of values, your values------------not someone elses. PLease take care.

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To answer you question, in my opinion, NO. To me, the cost and hassle seems like alot to "educate" your toddlers. Children do not need to be educated at this point. THey should learn through play and socialization. That can be provided through a good regular daycare, or at home with you and your mother. There is no need for private education at this point. Think about what you want for your child and if this school is going to give it to him. Will this school be the stepping stone for his future more so than a regular school? At this age, no one could convince me that its so much better than regular daycare or the learning experiences provided by a mom.
I actually read an article the other day stating that a college graduate from a school like Harvard will make no more money than a student who earned a degree from a community or state college. The only difference is that the Harvard child can brag about his ivy league education. Although, he prob has student loans in the 6 figures and the community college/state college graduate either has no debt or very little!
I would say, tell your mother to save her money for when the boys are in middle/high school. You could always send them to a college prep school, which would be worth the money because colleges look apon those students more favorably and prepare them for college better than your standard high school. Let your kids be kids and dont really worry about everything being structured and taught. Your kids learn if their enviroment is positive, which is easily obtained by putting them in a good(but not as expensive) daycare or preschool.

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Both of my sons (who are now 17 and 19) attended a Montessori preschool -- one of them really benefitted from it and one of them did not. The son who benefitted from a Montessori preschool was the one who seemed to have the gift of 'natural learning ability' from the day he was born. My other son who seemed to learn slightly 'below the curve' did not have any marked improvement from attending a Montessori school -- in fact, I think it may have hindered him a bit because rather than the instructors viewing that son with someone who was showing the early signs of some learning disabilities, he was viewed 'the Montessori way' of 'he's just not ready for that yet'...

All in all, if I had to do it over again, I would let my 'wallet' be my guide.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.. :)

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Hi C.,
Wow - I say forget Montessori and stay with your current daycare. It sounds all bad - the cost, the hassle, the shuffling of the kids...'thanks Mom, but no thanks!'.
My son is in all-day day care and LOVES it. He is only 22 months but already has strong attachments to his teachers and peers - I would hate to pull him out. I'm sure your 3yr old is the same.
In any event - do what works for YOU and your kids. Save the $$ for college :)
J.

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Both of my children attended Montessori for four years (until my youngest was ready for kindergarten). I had never heard of this type of schooling prior to looking for a preschool for my oldest. I loved it and the values it has instilled on my children are everything that one could hope for in their children. They have great independnece and compassion for others. Once my children were enrolled in public school I noticed what a difference there was between my children and the others in their class. At Montessori the kids didn't talk about other children being mean and picking on each other. Noone had "best" friends. They had good friends and played with them on a rtating basis but there wasn't all the mean negative competition that I have found in public school. I believe that, as sad as it is, our kids need to be exposed to the "real world" at some point. In the meantime, I wouldn't trade the amazing strength and base for life that my two children obtained while at Montessori.
Thank you and I hope this was helpful.

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Hi,
As a Montessori teacher (tranied at the primary or age 3-6 level) and as a parent of a 19 mo old with a second on the way I would say that cost and quality must balance each other out. It seems that this school makes it nearly impossible for children who must have care for more than the early morning hours but this is not reflective of all Montessori programs. I am not sure exactly where you are located but I would be confident in saying that there is another Montessori program to look into that may have more affordable options. In terms of quality in Montessori education.... the right program is outstanding and has benefits that you will see way beyond the preschool years. It is important to be informed about the differences in Montessori education and the affiliations with groups such as AMI
(Association Montessori International, AMS (American Montessori Society, and NCME (National Center for Montessori Education). Some "Montessori" (those not affiliated with one of the above mentioned) schools call themselves "Montessori" and they may have some of the materials but the teachers have not been trained in the Montessori method at all. Each of the above affilations is different in the way that they train there teachers and the way that they will run there schools. The more informed you are the more you will know if the cost and trouble are worth the work for you.
Good luck in your search for quality education.

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Is it worth it to you? Have you gotten information about Montessor? Do know exactly what it is? My opinion. It wouldn't be worth it. With all you would have to go through, financially and the inconvience of having to bring your boys during your lunch. My feeling is that your children will get all they need at a traditional day care and why take your older son out of a place that he is comfortable with. Like the saying goes, "If it's not broken don't fix it."

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I taught at a Montessori school for 11 years at the toddler level. Although I do agree that a Montessori environment is beneficial, I also agree that it is very pricey to send two children to a private school. I am a first time mother with a 3 month old and I know I wouldn't be able to afford $1000/a week for after school care. That's ridiculous.

There are many things you can do in the home using the philosophy of Maria Montessori while the children are still young. Check out the book, "Montessori From the Start" by Paula Polk Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen. They have some great ideas which you may be able to use.

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