Montessori vs Traditional daycare/school

Shelby - posted on 11/28/2012

I was a lead teacher in a toddler room at a montessori school. I loved it! I love the ability to sit back and watch the children learn on their own. It is a style of learning you have to get used to to be able to understand and teach properly. I had my daughter in July and after returning from my maternity leave my whole room was different. I could tell they had not been working as well as usual while I was gon, but they did not forget everything. I got a great job offer and a regular daycare closer to home and where my daughter could be in my classroom. I am still not sure what to think of it becuase of being a montessori teacher for three years. It was a big transition, and I still struggle with the difference. I want my daughter in a montessori school for preschool and am trying to incoporate some montessori traditions into the new daycare.



At my old school we had our infant room starting at 6 weeks. Once the child could sit up on their own they were sitting at a small wood table and feeding themself. I think the earlier the better with introducing them to montessori. I will be introducing my daughter as soon as she is ready, as I love how much more advanced a montessori student is than a daycare student. As a parent you can always introduce montessori to your child in your home. Any kind of practical life, such as folding laundry, helping with dishes, setting the table, pouring, spooning beans, etc., can be done very easliy with practice. Once they have mastered those, make it more challanging. Add a bowl to the spooning and see how they chose to spoon the beans. Have free art, give them paint a brush and some paper and go at it. Kids are supposed to get messy, let me be kids. If you think they are just scribbling ask what they are painting, as you should never tell a child they are wrong with their imagination. If they are not doing a work the right now and its not hurting anything, let them be theyve found a few purpose for the work.



I wasnt sure about montessori when i first started, but as i learned how to properly work with the children i grew to love it! I would highly recommend a montessori education to anyone.

Stephanie - posted on 10/19/2012

I think it really depends on the Montessori school and your child. Just like anything else, there are great Montessori schools and there are horrible Montessori schools. I have taught gifted elementary for 10 years and have had many students transfer in from Montessori schools. More often than not, the students transferring in have a very hard time transitioning to a more traditional learning environment. Since my class is a gifted classroom I have quite a bit more flexibility than a regular class in my activities and they still have trouble sitting still, following directions, and calling out. That's not to say that students can't make a smooth transition, I have had many students that do. It just depends on the child and the school. Some children are better suited to a Montessori environment.

Jitka - posted on 09/21/2012

Both my boys went to a Montessori pre-school, but due to finances we had to opt for a traditional school (both boys did the entire pre-school Montessori, and my older boy did a 1st year in primary there too). 3rd year into public school and i struggle (more so then the kids). Not with the education provided, but with the attitudes of teachers. The screaming at children (which is heard from the parking lot), punishing (methods that really just do not help the kids!!) calling them "pet names" which are derogatory to the kids (names such as pijama's and shrimp - not to my kids luckily). The list just goes on and on. Coincidentally I've now graduated as a Montessori Directress and wish i had all this knowledge when the boys were toddlers. Best of luck!

Lindsey - posted on 12/22/2010

My daughter was in a Montessori enviroment from 2 1/2 to 3 1/2. I switched her from on Montessori school that was not working for her, to another one. I liked the enviroment, but she choose to do the same things everyday, but as long as they were in her "Montessori Works" for the day, it was ok. She learned a lot of Spanish, Music, Numbers (no letters) logic and puzzle work. However, it just wasn't right for her. So she is now in a regular pre-school where she is doing AMAZING!! She knows every letter, sound, number up to 100, etc. It just depends on the kid and the way they learn best. I say, do what is best for your child. I liked them both equally. Montessori just wasn't right for my first daughter. I will try with my second child however and see if it works for them!!

Florida - posted on 12/05/2010

I like Montessori quite a lot.I hear that you can start Montessori principles right from birth. I have experience only from 2 1/2 on, both teaching (though I'm a french teacher within a Montessori milieu and not a Montessori teacher...) and as a parent.
If your child doesn't have any problems with socialization (autism, PDD, PDD-NOS etc) I'd go for Montessori, because the mthod fosters independance through their frame. They choose, and they (the children) are self-led, self-propelled. I think there might be more help and more opportunities for socialization in a non-private school setting (Montessori-based schools are usually private) for a child who needs special help in a public setting.

Janna - posted on 12/03/2010

My daughter started at Montessori this year and is 3 years old. She loves it and I'm SOOOO happy!!!!! She is learning so much and has made such progress already.

Lisa - posted on 11/30/2010

There are some Montessori schools that start as young as 18 months. There is no church involvement unless the school is located in a church. It is a way of learning and teaching that gives children a whole perspective on the world that keeps them challenged and active but also focused and contained.

Shauna - posted on 11/30/2010

I have done some research on montessori's but dont know all the facts? How old does a child need to be to start in a montessori? is it religion based or just a way of teaching.

Sara - posted on 11/25/2010

My daughter almost 3 started Montessori, where I work at 26 months, she now knows her letter sounds, speaks more clearly, anc actually counts up to 20. I believe Montessori is great for children because it gives them a better want to learn. Personally the earlier the better is what I would say on a Montessori education.

Sapphire - posted on 09/19/2010

My son attended a Montessori style preschool last year and it was the absolute perfect setting for him. I even enrolled him inot the private Kinder program, but that sadly was cancelled due to low enrollment :-( The alternative for him was traditional daycare, and after 3 years in the same place, it was simply that: daycare. My son thrived above and beyond in preschool, and entered Kinder as an independent reader and creative thinker. Now if you are looking for a religious based education, you'll have to continue seeking and exploring other schools. Good luck!

Erin - posted on 09/19/2010

I was a montessori kid myself and now my son is in his second year at a montessori school. In my opionion there is nothing better- it fosters a great love of learning in a unique way. Also something else to know when looking at a montessori school- anyone can say they are a montessori school without having the teachers go thru the correct training. So double check on that.

Lisa - posted on 09/16/2010

I am a trained Montessori teacher and feel strongly that it can give a really great foundation and start to a child. The setting can really encourage a child to feel good about himself and learn to make really great decisions.

Chris - posted on 09/15/2010

My three children all did Montessori for either pre-school/K (my oldest) or elementary (2-5) my twins. They all benefitted from the Montessori approach to children. I would highly recommend it if your child is self motivated. If not, it is not the best choice, since unmotivated or a child that needs a lot of structure will not do well. Just my opinion as a mom who had witnessed 2 different Montessori schools in two separate states. BTW, I am a special education teacher at a Title one school.