Opinion of Montessori education? (VANITY)

I am seeking advice and opinions about Montessori schools. We have a toddler and are starting to consider his educational options. While I know this is early in the game, it has also been brought to my attention that many private schools have waiting lists that are months or years long!

If anyone has had experience with the Montessori program for their youngsters (preschool, elementary, homeschooling with Montessori method, etc), I would be very grateful to read about it. I know there are other programs, such as Waldorf, but am not as familiar with that approach.

In my quest to search a Montessori school for my two year old boy, I remembered to put my child first. Think about what your child likes. Does he or she like structure? Is he or she gregarious? Does he or she enjoy outdoor play? These things are important to consider before placing your child in a Montessori school. The name "Montessori," for example, is not copyrighted; as a result, it's best to check with one of the affiliating organizations to locate a reputable school. As a lead Montessori teacher myself, I am very familiar with Montessori curriculum. I have a Master's degree in Early childhood education and Montessori certification. FYI: My son attends a different Montessori school, per not to distract my attention to the job and children in my care. The history of the Montessori method was pioneered by Maria Montessori, who was born in 1870 and became Italy's first female physician, specializing in pediatrics and psychiatry. A montessori classroom is filled with children of mixed ages (2-3, 3-6, 6-9) engaged in activity. Some work alone while others work in small groups. Children move at there own pace through the classroom, which includes practical life, sensorial, language arts, and mathematics areas - each with their own materials for children to work with. The teacher's role in the Montessori classroom is to guide the children. Independence is highly encouraged, and a love of learning is instilled. Children progress at their own speed, without boundaries. Like Montessori, students in a Waldorf classroom are rarely found sitting at desks. You're more likely to Waldorf children baking bread from wheat they grew themselves or perhaps playing the recorder. The Waldorf approach is holistic in which spirituality, art and dance play a large part. Unlike a Montessori classroom, where the teacher's role is to guide the child and let the child work independently, Waldorf instruction emphasizes the relationship between the teacher and child. All in all, both are essentially unique and beneficial to any child. It's your choice. Hope this helps your discover what options are available to your family and little one.

My son is almost 4 and has been in a Montessori school for almost a year. He is coming home daily and telling me that the lessons are boring and that he has to do too much work. I spoke with the teacher, and she laughed at that. She said he is stubborn and not progressing. I wonder how is it possible to be considered stubborn in an environment where you are supposed to have free will to choose your activity. The teacher says that he is not allowed to choose his own work because he does not do his "big work" first. In the beginning of the school year he seemed happy and was socializing well, and was even telling me that I was coming too early to pick him up from school, but the original teacher quit abruptly so a family member of the director has taken over the class. She is a strict disciplinarian, and does not allow the children to work together in groups. I am looking at other schools, and would really like to continue with Montessori, but I don't know whether I should consider a more play based school. The Montessori teachers tell me that my son stands out as a cooperative, quiet child with a good sense of order and a well developed sense of humor.

Thanks for your post. It sounds as if your son's trouble began when the first teacher left and the new one started. Is the new one certified in Montessori also? I guess I'd look into other schools for him.....are there other Montessori schools in your area that you can visit and see whether it's a better fit? Hope you can find one that fits your needs.....I'm sure you little guy will once again love school! Thanks again for your post.

With all due respect, your opinion of Montessori is based on a very isolated experience, and also seems to be a rather misinformed one as well. As a certified Montessori educator at the primary (preschool) level, I can tell you it is certainly not due to Montessori's teachings or beliefs that a child would be ostracized EVER, or excluded or singled out in any way.
As for the teachers being snotty, that certainly sounds like something unique to their individual personalities, and not necessarily present in all Montessori educators.
To say that Montessori is touchy feely is grossly inaccurate. And after having taught in traditional preschool settings for nearly a decade before switching to Montessori, I can tell you there is more structure and order in that environment than in any preschool or traditionally taught classroom. The only difference is that the discipline and structure is not tyrannically imposed by the teacher, yet there is a modeling of respect, conflict resolution in a pro-social way, and fun...yes, dare I say FUN in a Montessori environment. That being said, there is the expectation to adhere to ground rules and complete the work cycle fully. This is meant to increase the sense of order, concentration, coordination and independence that are so crucial to success in a more traditional setting (i.e. children expected to sit at a desk).
To say that Montessori is void of structure and routine is simply ignorant. Montessori is based on the premise of repetition and honoring the child's sensitive periods of development. You talk of children being expected to "accomplish" learning tasks. In a true Montessori environment, the children are not expected to accomplish tasks without first having a one on one or small group lesson.
As for not allowing you to drop in, our Montessori school has an open door policy, as should any preschool. If they don't, it is perhaps best to seek another environment. That is not Montessori's way, so it is unfair to attribute that one school's policy to Montessori. It sounds like you had a bad experience with a preschool who is misrepresenting the Montessori name/philosophy. Please do everyone a service by refraining from applying those bad traits isolated to that school to Montessori in general. That is merely close-minded, and serves to perpetuate misunderstanding and intolerance.

I must echo the words of other posts, and reiterate that the best way to choose an appropriate program for your child/family is to do the research yourself and educate yourself about the philosophy. You cannot possibly do that on an internet forum. While it is certainly great to hear of others' experiences, you are never truly getting the essence of a philosophy through second and third hand accounts. It is so much better to find out about the philosophy in it's purest form. Go to the library and research from reputable sources. If the philosophy is one you agree with, search for a program that meets the criteria of a developmentally appropriate program that adheres to that philosophy. Check affiliations and certifications, and make educated decisions. It is frustrating, as a certified Montessori educator, to listen to all the misconceptions being spewed here about Montessori. I am not saying it is for everyone, I am simply saying that it is unfair to paint Montessori in the shadows of your own isolated negative experiences. It sounds like all of them have less to do with Montessori, and more to do with people who are misrepresenting themselves and misusing the name.

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