Montessori vs. traditional class room?

Ann - posted on 07/28/2009

For what it's worth, I have found the traditional school systems to be very helpful with my two boys -- one has ADHD, the other ADD. Although we have been in systems with a lot of resources. We waited until 3rd grade to start our older son on meds (ritalin) and the lowest dose made such a difference for him in the classroom that we tried a very low dose with my younger son at the end of Kindergarten. Made a world of difference for him when paired with the behavior modification tools the psychologist had in place.

The Kindergarten teacher half-way through the year told me she was considering the traffic light system for the classroom and I told her all the reasons why I thought this system was suboptimal, to put it kindly. I'd seen my older son suffer through it in K and did not want to see my younger one, as well as a couple other high stimulus kids in the class, suffer in the same way. Don't be afraid to discuss this with the teacher up front. Instead, the teacher, the school psychologist and I met and then the psychologist developed a "behavior intervention strategy" (behavior modification plan, reward systems, etc.) for my son and another child in teh class that gave them specific goals, gave them tracking control and involved a report to home that we could reinforce as well. If the traditional school has a school psychologist you might want to request to meet with them early on.

FYI - my son was spitting too -- just in case you were feeling alone on that topic! :) And you will probably have to continue to coach teachers on how best to reach, manage your son. I've had to do that, but at least they ask for the help and utilize it!

Good luck!

Kristen - posted on 07/15/2009

Just wanted to follow up. My son's last days at school were great. He managed to behave well the last four days. The turn of behavior came with cue cards I'd write for him. He was not able to verbally express himself with his teacher, so I made one card that said Mrs. Teachrer, I need to talk to you. and a second with a specific request to be shown one of their works. His teacher showed that work to him and soon had to show him the more advanced version. Had she and I wondering how much further along he may have been had we discovered this sooner.

He has also worked with an OT this summer on his writing skills. Everyone I have talked to on the path to help him has pointed to traditional over Montessori for him, so he is enrolled in the traditional school next year. His greatest concern now is staying in his seat. He does fine in Sunday school, I am hopeful. Thank you for the replies.

Kristen - posted on 06/02/2009

I did go visit the local school. LOVED the principal, but she is retiring, so it is a gamble. She talked to me, handed me kleenex, told me exactly who to request for his first grade teacher, and since some of his LD seems to be dysgraphia, made it clear that the computers in the classrooms could be adapted with a printer so he can still do his work without writing. Meanwhile I get a call from his Montessori school every other school day to come get him for being disruptive (erasing the board, turning work trays, etc.). He finally told me enough to know he is acting up in school to get out of class and perhaps to get to go home early. I think home will be a less fun place until the school year is over (seven days!). I have taken all reward systems off the table (they recently have been backfiring) and told him to just behave and see what happens. The VP of his school called me yesterday asking if he spits on his fingers and smears his spit at home. (No.) So I suggested he redirect my son by handing him a pencil and giving him a blank piece of paper because it sounds like he is trying to paint. Had no idea the Vice Principal needed me to tell him how to redirect bad behavior to something constructive. Beginning to think traditional is the way to go. Let's just hope my son and I survive these last few days of school.

Thank you for your feedback!

Amanda - posted on 05/12/2009

I have a son in the regular school system and personally if i could afford to i'd switch him into Montessori. The regular school system does very little for difficult children at least where i live anyways. My son is in Gr. 4 and is only now finally getting the help he needs. And we've been fighting since JK. Obviously it's different from place to place, so you may have better luck. We are in the process of getting our 10 yr old a lawyer to get the schools to do something. We have gone as far as going straight to the ministry of education and it's still not getting us anywhere.



I say leave him where he is. If it's working for him, why change it? The regular school stream does not have the resorces or time to focus on the individual needs like they do at the montessori schools. My son doesn't do well with change, and most ADHD kids don't. Going from class to class is a real issue for him so he sits in a special class till all the kids are outta the hallways and then he goes.



I for one like the montessori way of schooling. And personally i think it would benefit any child becasue the one on one is so much better and they work with each student like idividuals instead of child number 651. lol

Leslie - posted on 05/08/2009

I had my son in a Montessori school before k & they wanted him out ! That openess wasn't great for my ADHD son because is wasn't structured enough. He goes to public school and was tested for the ESE program. He is now taken out of his K class 2 hours a day to ESE. Yes, the whole school knows him but they've grown to love his craziness all over the place! You should research more about the schools in your area as well. Good luck!