what do you think of montesorri preschools?

Lou Anne - posted on 03/26/2011

This is my thinking on the Montessori schools. I am a person with an early education degree and special education for Pre-schoolers, and I currently work for Headstart a government program for low income and child with disabilities. When have very strict guidelines for our program based on the newest research and studies we too, are very much child centered, but we are what you call also, Developmentally Appropriate based which comes from research and studies that ways of teaching young children. It is very different from ways to teach older children because of brain research of how a baby and young child's brain is developing. Play is a very strong influence on a young child's brain. If a young child's life is not centered on a lot of play and social interactions then it is being deprived of a very important part of development. Not that Montessori schools do not do that, but they have different values that are not based on research or studies except that of one women. And we in early childhood education do value want she did for early childhood education, but she is just one person and most of true early childhood education programs should focus on several different important people in early childhood education and on new research and studies. The other problem I have with Montessori schools is a personally one, because one time I went to apply at a Montessori School to be a teacher and they stated that they didn't care if I had an Early Childhood degree they only cared if I had a Montessori Certificate. So, I went to find out about how to certify and the cost was enormous and most of the schools to teach paid very little and offered no benefits to the teachers so I personally decided it is a gimmick to make a lot of money for just center people. This is one of the main reasons I am very much opposed to voucher programs for k-12, that the same thing will occur where there will be a lot of gimmicks out there to confuse parents and hinder childrens learning.

Carey - posted on 10/06/2010

My daughter just started in a montessori preschool and she is 3 years old. she is already learning to write her name, her alphabet with the sounds and counting. She loves it and I am amazed at what she is learning. I have heard great things. My 2nd daughter went to a regular preschool and it is nothing like what my little one is learning. I also my older daughter would go to school with kids in the near by preschool and that wasn't true. She new 1 child in kindergarten from preschool and she wasn't in her class. So I would definitely recommend it, so far so good. My daughter is so proud of her accomplishments and just finished the center on zippering , buttoning and feels so proud. Great projects also.

Laura - posted on 04/19/2010

I hope this isn't too late Parul, but I just saw this post. Hope it helps.

Montessori education is very different from traditional education in a few ways.



First, Montessori is considered a "Child Centered" approach to education. This means that the materials used and the lessons given are appropriate for the individual child. The children are carefully observed to see when they are ready to move on and then new lessons/materials/works are presented. Each child is allowed to work at their own pace in order to master skills/works/materials. Some children will be masters at writing before they master math for example, so in the Montessori classroom, the child is allowed to move ahead in the areas where they are ready while still working in areas they have yet to master. The Montessori teacher will also then work with the areas where they child needs improvement to help them advance in those areas too. This allows children to grow at their own pace and follow an individual educational path.



In the Montessori classroom, for the majority of the day in the preschool classroom, children are allowed to choose which areas of the classroom to work (math, writing, practical life, science, etc). The teachers in the classroom carefully observe the children to know if and when to guide a particular child to another activity if necessary to make sure they are balancing themselves in the classroom. Children are allowed to work on materials until they master them and are encouraged to choose their own work and work with their full concentration without interruptions from the teachers. Individual or small group lessons are given (depending on the age group) and the child is expected to come to them, and the child is expected to participate in group time as well.



Materials in the Montessori classroom are hands-on and self-correcting. This means that a child can touch and get a sense for fractions by building them, feeling them, seeing them and listening to lessons. This reaches the three major modalities of learning (visual, auditory, and sensory). Each work/material allows the child to correct him/herself to figure out if they "got it right". They can continue to work at a material until they get it. (This is hard for many adults to watch because we have a tendency to step-in to solve children's problems)



Children are given the language and tools to be independent people, and problem solvers in the Montessori classroom. They are encouraged to think for themselves! The rules in the classroom are set and enforced (for example, walking feet, work time voices, respect for everyone) but the "enforcement" is done in a non-threatening way. The adults in the classroom are guides for the child, offering redirection when needed, but never criticizing nor placing adult judgements on their work. Children are allowed to continue working at something until they get it right so they are truly allowed to master skills.



Also, the Montessori classroom is set up in three year cycles. Preschool/Primary is ages 2 1/2-6 and includes the Kindergarten curriculum, Early Elementary (ages 6-9 or 1-3rd grade) Upper Elementary (ages 9-12 or 4-6th grade). The three year age span has many benefits to the child. (This is running a bit long, so If you want to know more, let me know)



At the heart of this child-centered education is the knowledge that children who are allowed to learn at their own pace, allowed freedom of choice (within the rules established), build confidence, concentration, independence, and a true LOVE learning because of it.



In my experience, the children who have moved from my classrooms to traditional schools adjust perfectly well. Most of our students enter the traditional classroom ahead of their peers and are sometimes bored. They are enthusiastic learners who question the world. The biggest complaints from the children is that in a traditional classroom, they don't understand why they have to ask permission to sharpen a pencil, or go to the bathroom, or sit on the floor. One of my students who transferred to a traditional 4th grade classroom this year has trouble answering her ditto questions from a textbook. She thinks they are trying to trick her because the answers "couldn't be in order right out of the book" she thinks she should be researching the answers. The children who have had problems adjusting to a traditional classroom had problems in the Montessori classroom as well. It has much more to do with personality and learning style.



Not all schools are the same and you don't have to have any accreditation to hand a sign out front calling yourself a Montessori School. And, just because a school isn't certified by AMS or AMI does not mean they aren't a good school. I've been to uncertified great schools as well as certified poor schools. You have to do your homework and observe the classrooms to see the beauty that is Montessori. If your'e looking for a good school, sites like The Montessori Foundation http://www.montessori.org/story.php?id=2... can help you choose the right school for you.



I am an American Montessori Society certified preschool (2 1/2-6 years old) as well as a certified Montessori Early Elementary teacher (6-9 years old). I also have a Speech & Language Pathology degree with a focus on Early Childhood education. (Just in case you're wondering why I think I know anything about Montessori)

Parul - posted on 12/07/2009

Hey could somebody please please give an idea of how montessori education is different from a regular one?

Denise - posted on 12/05/2009

Hi, my Daughter went to a Montessori nursery and absolutely loved it. She has recently started school, the teachers have commented that they can tell which children attended the Montessori nursery as they already have a lot of the skills needed for their first year in school.

Christine - posted on 12/04/2009

Hi Molly,it's great that you're already thinking about preschool for your son. We have our son enrolled in a Montessori school, and he loves it. He's doing really well and we are extremely happy with the program. Because the montessori philosophy is not trademarked, any preschool can call themselves a montessori school. So, when you look at the programs, check to see if they are accredited by the AMI (Association Montessori International). Good luck.

Jennifer - posted on 11/06/2009

I am an early childhood educator and taught public kinder 5 years, private preschool 6 years. First off TRUE 100% Montessori schools are few and far between because the certification and acredidation process is very stringent. For a teacher to be a certified montessori teacher it is like getting a collage degree. So what you find is most schools are Montessori based with teachers who have Montessori training. So you would want to really check and see what your particular school is doing that is true Montessori if that is why you are choosing the school. I believe the Montessori philosphy is one of those things that sounds great on paper but when put into action is eaiser said then done. I like and use in my classroom many of the Montessori tasks which allow students to work at thier own pace and leel to learn and obtain skills that are fundemental to over all learning. But in my experiance the students that came from Montessori programs where not prepared for a public school classroom and often behavioral problems resulted. The children were used to running the show and setting the time table which is unconducive to a traditional classroom. I also have experianced that some students just don't learn in a montessori setting, they just seem to need direct teach. Other students do very well in such a setting. So it depends on the kid! I have seen plenty of Montessori based preschool sthat have a good balance and prepare thier kids for public school. So it all depends on you and your childs wants and needs. Hope this helps and I commend you for already looking into your child's educational future. It is a parents example that leads a child into the true joy of learning and that is never to early to start!

Jennifer - posted on 11/03/2009

Molly, I've taken an Early Childhood Development class in the past (thought I wanted to be a teacher; but found calling in nursing, so working towards that...) and the instructor went over 3 or 4 different philosophies of teaching young children. I really really liked the Montessori "program" the best. If I decide to enter my daughter into preschool (she's not quite 20 months yet) it will be to a Montessori-based school. (Although they have, at least in my area, Montessori based Preschool/daycare that starts at 6 weeks of age.) I say, go Montessori!! :o)