Montessori Schools....question

[masmdu]

Anybody familiar with Montessori schools?

What are they? How do they differ from a 'regular' school.

Any experiences/opinions on whether they are good or bad?

TIA

[BigMcLargehuge]

1. Montessori' philosophy

was that play should mirror real life so often play activities were kid versions of adult activities.

I was a Montessori kid with a penchant for shoe shining. We also had hand washing of laundry, washing plastic dishes, folding clothes, and other real-life activities atop the standard paint pictures, play with clay, sing songs etc...

They are a very well structured environment.

I worked in a Piaget inspired center for 5 years and they are very nice too. As are those following the methods of Reggio Emmilia.

Lemme know if you need more information.

[truebrit71]

2. My daughter went to one from K-5

I highly recommend the experience. It is not a traditional classroom setting and is much more of a "hands-on" approach to learning. The kids learn by DOING as well as by reading and listening. They encourage good social skills and do NOT push the kids along. The kids wind up pushing each other for greater and greater knowledge, ie positive peer pressure and they are encouraged to help one another.

Every year that my daughter has taken the IOWA basic tests she has scored in the 95% percentile. Her reading, math, comprehension, science has been typically two-three grade levels higher.

A very positive experience all around...

TB

[deek]

3. Montessori was my calling in life

Do an internet search for info. Observe a full day in a classroom.

Montessorians believe children are wonderous beings who are to be respected for their innate processes that guide them toward becoming adults. The children pursue their interests within their own timeframes. The Montessori environment is carefully designed to encourage independence with manipulative materials that are self-correcting. Montessorians are gentle people who value peace, tolerance, and nature.

I would strongly encourage you to give your child this opportunity. Not only will they gain conceptual educational knowledge, they'll possess self-esteem, postive socialization skills, self-discipline, respect for others, and grace while maintaining their awe of the world and love of learning.

[GreenGreenLimaBean]

4. Both Daughters attended

My 9 year old went to one in Austin thru kindergarten, and my
5 year old is currently in the same school for her last year.
The philosophy is wonderful, let the child learn at their own
pace, teach them practical life skills, and do not force them
do learn before they are ready, but always provide them with
the opportunity when they are. The method is very good, but
be aware that the school you choose is only as good as the people
running it. The school my children attend is ran by an entire
family dedicated to teaching. Mom is the head, 3 daughters are
teachers, and her son is the administrator.

Good Luck.

[efhmc]

10. Would you mind naming the school in Austin. Also, what age do they

start? Thanks.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

5. a great school - if you are rich

too bad most parents couldn't afford it.

[mike_c]

12. We put my daughter through a Montessori school while in college...

...and grad school-- we certainly were NOT rich, living on student loans and my approx. $11,000/yr teaching assistant stipend. I presume some Montessori schools are more expensive than others, but the one my daughter attended was reasonably priced, and compared to the local public schools, a wonderful educational environment for her.

[mcar]

6. My son just finished a Montessori pre-school and kindergarten

It was a wonderful learning experience. If I could afford it, I would have kept him there through 3rd grade.

He's now in 1st grade at the local public school, which is also good. He tests out at a 3rd grade reading level and can read 5th grade level books. He was well-versed in addition and subtraction when he left the Montessori school and knows more about continents and countries than I ever will.

Montessori taught him the basics, but it also taught him to love and embrace learning. His 1st grade teacher is delighted with him. He's an enthusiastic, curious learner who knows how to follow rules.

To answer your questions, the Montessori concept is that children will instinctively try to learn what they need to at that age or level of development. For pre-schoolers, for example, it's usually motor skills. A Montessori school gives children the tools to learn what they need to learn and gives them the freedom to learn what they instinctively need to learn. There is a lot of structure in the physical aspects of the school and a lot of freedom of choice in what lessons the children pursue. As a result, you have children working quietly and busily all day, moving around an open classroom, putting their lessons away and taking out another one.

There are some structured times where the class is doing things together, like studying parts of the plant or the continents. Once my son was in kindergarten, there was required work too, math, reading, spelling. The children work independently and the teacher is seen as someone who is in the background, guiding and assisting as the children succeed.

Montessori is not for everyone but it was a wonderful experience for us!

[trotsky]

7. Mixed results

Please note that a school can CALL itself Montessori without following all (or even most) of the traditional Montessori principles. We had that experience with our 3 year old who turned 4 while at the school. Everything we had heard and read about Montessori made it seem like it would be perfect for him, but his teacher was just NOT in the right occupation. She only "liked" the children who were docile and did what they were told.

We just recently found another school that appears to have better staff and follows more closely the Montessori mission. After having the summer off at a home daycare, our son will start there after Labor Day. We can't wait!

[bluestateguy]

8. I went through the 3rd grade

Generally it was a favorable experience, though it's not for everybody.

The Montessori approach allows kids to sort of figure out how to do things on their own, and then ask for help. Classroom lecturing is a rarity. Creativity is rewarded. Group projects are common. It also tends to attract children of liberal parents.

[retread]

9. Our son went to one thru 3rd grade. Our only worry was how he would handle

the public school which followed. He did fine.

[catzies]

11. Wow. Montesorri's still around and going strong!

I went to Montessori schools as a child way back in the '60s, :hippie: and I thought it only belonged in that era.

I'm very pleased to find out the beautiful work they do goes on!