cnf
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Post by cnf on Jun 13, 2017 6:35:46 GMT -6
Anyone send their kid to one?
The district I work in supposedly lets employees in my union unit send their kids for free to the new district montessori and I'd like to get E on the preschool list some time before the end of the year so I can make sure she gets a slot for when she turns three.
Pros/cons? Love it/hate it? I don't know a ton about it but I'd love to send her to a progressive school for a few years if possible.
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Post by sheilathetank on Jun 13, 2017 7:00:56 GMT -6
I feel like a lot of people in tcf/aptm send their kids to montessori like it's the creme de la creme of preschools. Just an observation, no judgement. I've been head scratchy on this for a while so I'll be following this thread because I want to know what is so great about them.
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I understand they have play stations and less guidance so that kids are free to explore, which can be a problem if you child relies on structure and routine to get through their day/learn.
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Jun 13, 2017 7:10:47 GMT -6
DS goes to a Reggio Emilia nursery school, which is similar to Montessori, but a little more focused on self-directed play, improvisation, and creativity than the Montessori approach. However, I did a lot of research about Montessori and visited several Montessori schools before we made the ultimate decision to go with Reggio Emilia. Montessori (like Reggio Emilia) follows self-directed learning model and takes a child-centered approach, with the teacher doing more observing than structured/formal teaching. Montessori schools also tend to follow a highly individualized approach - meaning that there are a variety of stations or activities throughout the room for kids to explore and discover - based on the child's own interests. There are specific tasks and goals for the kids to achieve at these stations. From what I understand, Montessori also tries to encourage an environment where only 1-2 students are working on any particular task/station at any given time. The child-centered and self-directed approach of Montessori really appealed to me, which is why we looked at Montessori nursery schools when we were evaluating where to send DS.
The cons to Montessori (in my opinion) was that it was too focused on order (keeping things organized is a huge Montessori thing) and I thought the curriculum was a little too structured for my taste. It didn't encourage exploration enough for me. I tend to feel that toddlers and preschoolers really need to focus on creative play and exploring the world around them at their own pace and own style (this philosophy is very popular for preschoolers in Finland). Montessori is a little more rigid than that....it's self-directed, but there is definitely more structure and set goals (if that makes sense).
So, we ended up going with Reggio Emilia, which has been a perfect fit for DS (he is 2). That said, if we'd not had the Reggio Emilia option where we live, we definitely would have gone with a Montessori school - as it is more progressive and child-centered than traditional schools. I think if you have this opportunity, you should give it a try!
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cnf
Ruby
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Post by cnf on Jun 13, 2017 7:11:23 GMT -6
I feel like a lot of people in tcf/aptm send their kids to montessori like it's the creme de la creme of preschools. Just an observation, no judgement. I've been head scratchy on this for a while so I'll be following this thread because I want to know what is so great about them. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I understand they have play stations and less guidance so that kids are free to explore, which can be a problem if you child relies on structure and routine to get through their day/learn. That's kind of what I've gathered too. My kid does not require routine. Right now my mom watches her four days a week and MIL the fifth day and it's a lot of free play with directed learning when she wants to read or play with other educational toys. They kind of roll with whatever direction she runs. I'll be honest, free preschool is a big plus in our pros column right now. I want my kid in school when she turns three if possible, but a lot cost big money. And the preschool in our district where she'll actually attend school (not the one I work in) doesn't start until kids turn four. We'd also like to not stick our moms with two kids, since number two is due this fall, for longer then the few months in the spring when I'll be back to work post maternity leave. She's at a point where she needs and wants to interact regularly with other kids, but daycare is not currently in our budget. She'll go to mommy and me bootcamp classes with me all summer, which will help. Plus everything around here has wait lists, so I'm trying to figure out if I should work on getting her on this wait list come fall or turn my searches elsewhere and try to do some budget reconfiguring.
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jewel
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Post by jewel on Jun 13, 2017 7:11:38 GMT -6
So I think there is a difference between just doing it for preschool and all the way through. A new woman (recent college grad) just started working in H's team at work and he said her presentation/communication skills given her age/level are beyond impressive and she credited it Montessori all through HS, part of it could just be natural but made us think. Ive never someone who went all the way through...
I think it's more hands on, but also I thought it was less coddling, like no prizes for everyone, etc... I'm not 100% though
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jewel
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Post by jewel on Jun 13, 2017 7:14:09 GMT -6
Mixed age groupings I think is the other big thing
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Post by sheilathetank on Jun 13, 2017 7:15:49 GMT -6
I feel like a lot of people in tcf/aptm send their kids to montessori like it's the creme de la creme of preschools. Just an observation, no judgement. I've been head scratchy on this for a while so I'll be following this thread because I want to know what is so great about them. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I understand they have play stations and less guidance so that kids are free to explore, which can be a problem if you child relies on structure and routine to get through their day/learn. That's kind of what I've gathered too. My kid does not require routine. Right now my mom watches her four days a week and MIL the fifth day and it's a lot of free play with directed learning when she wants to read or play with other educational toys. They kind of roll with whatever direction she runs. I'll be honest, free preschool is a big plus in our pros column right now. I want my kid in school when she turns three if possible, but a lot cost big money. And the preschool in our district where she'll actually attend school (not the one I work in) doesn't start until kids turn four. We'd also like to not stick our moms with two kids, since number two is due this fall, for longer then the few months in the spring when I'll be back to work post maternity leave. She's at a point where she needs and wants to interact regularly with other kids, but daycare is not currently in our budget. She'll go to mommy and me bootcamp classes with me all summer, which will help. Plus everything around here has wait lists, so I'm trying to figure out if I should work on getting her on this wait list come fall or turn my searches elsewhere and try to do some budget reconfiguring. I missed the part where it was free. Heck, I would try it just for that. If you don't like it you can always pull her and send her to your local district when she is 4.
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cnf
Ruby
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Post by cnf on Jun 13, 2017 7:18:33 GMT -6
So I think there is a difference between just doing it for preschool and all the way through. A new woman (recent college grad) just started working in H's team at work and he said her presentation/communication skills given her age/level are beyond impressive and she credited it Montessori all through HS, part of it could just be natural but made us think. Ive never someone who went all the way through... I think it's more hands on, but also I thought it was less coddling, like no prizes for everyone, etc... I'm not 100% though Our montessori only has Prek at this point. It's in it's first year, I believe, so should be on a grow out plan. I don't foresee them extending it past elementary levels. But the district does have an experiential learning middle school, which sounds kind of like montessori-eque, without the title. I don't think I'm privvy to that school without paying tuition for being out of district though. And as a regular ol' public school teacher, I do want her in regular school by then. The Montessori would just be until she ready to go into kindergarten in our home district.
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Jun 13, 2017 7:19:35 GMT -6
cnf I forgot about the free part when I was writing my response to you. If it's free - I would be getting my kid on the list asap, not a question. That's because I like the Montessori philosophy though... Also, you are right - Montessori is often $$$$. If you can get it for free - that is a big big plus in my book, provided you are cool with the philosophy.
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cnf
Ruby
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Post by cnf on Jun 13, 2017 7:23:23 GMT -6
cnf I forgot about the free part when I was writing my response to you. If it's free - I would be getting my kid on the list asap, not a question. That's because I like the Montessori philosophy though... Also, you are right - Montessori is often $$$$. If you can get it for free - that is a big big plus in my book, provided you are cool with the philosophy. I'm good with the philosophy. I think E would like the less regimented structure since that's what she's more used to anyways. I was just trying to get some insight to it since I don't know a lot about it other then learning centers, kid centered, progressive style learning. And of course the schools webpage is sparse.
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Post by sheilathetank on Jun 13, 2017 7:24:50 GMT -6
So I think there is a difference between just doing it for preschool and all the way through. A new woman (recent college grad) just started working in H's team at work and he said her presentation/communication skills given her age/level are beyond impressive and she credited it Montessori all through HS, part of it could just be natural but made us think. Ive never someone who went all the way through... I think it's more hands on, but also I thought it was less coddling, like no prizes for everyone, etc... I'm not 100% though Ok. This is 100% anecdote. One of my friends in high school went to Montessori from preK through 8th grade. At that time her parents had some money troubles and they could no longer afford to send her so they transferred her to Catholic all girls high school. She had never taken a test. Had never had a homework assignment. Had never had to follow a deadline. She cried every. single. day. because of how hard it was to transition into a regular school system. Now, there were other things that contributed to her issues and her home life wasn't picture perfect, but I saw how much it negatively affected her. It honestly put a sour taste in my mouth about the whole thing. Most jobs require you to follow some sort of structure, have deadlines, projects, reviews, etc. Again, this was 15+ years ago so it may have all changed, but I would be really iffy about sending my kid, past the early grades, unless I was able to prepare them for the "real" world in other ways.
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cnf
Ruby
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Post by cnf on Jun 13, 2017 7:33:57 GMT -6
So I think there is a difference between just doing it for preschool and all the way through. A new woman (recent college grad) just started working in H's team at work and he said her presentation/communication skills given her age/level are beyond impressive and she credited it Montessori all through HS, part of it could just be natural but made us think. Ive never someone who went all the way through... I think it's more hands on, but also I thought it was less coddling, like no prizes for everyone, etc... I'm not 100% though Ok. This is 100% anecdote. One of my friends in high school went to Montessori from preK through 8th grade. At that time her parents had some money troubles and they could no longer afford to send her so they transferred her to Catholic all girls high school. She had never taken a test. Had never had a homework assignment. Had never had to follow a deadline. She cried every. single. day. because of how hard it was to transition into a regular school system. Now, there were other things that contributed to her issues and her home life wasn't picture perfect, but I saw how much it negatively affected her. It honestly put a sour taste in my mouth about the whole thing. Most jobs require you to follow some sort of structure, have deadlines, projects, reviews, etc. Again, this was 15+ years ago so it may have all changed, but I would be really iffy about sending my kid, past the early grades, unless I was able to prepare them for the "real" world in other ways. This is why I would transition her to regular school in time for K or at least first grade. I work tirelessly trying to teach my middle and high school students about how what they do in school translates to real life and it's a struggle even for them to wrap their brains around. I finally found an informational powerpoint buried on their website. They are growing out every year until they hit 10/11 years old then kids will have the option to transition to the experiential middle school. So they'd basically be on this montessori philosophy learning style until high school. We would definitely only use this option for prek, maybe kindergarten, but likely not. They also have a lottery system if there's more kids on the registration list then there are slots. I'll need to look into whether district employee kids get a slot regardless or would be subject to the lottery, because that would obviously mean we'd need a back up plan on the back burner anyways.
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Jun 13, 2017 7:40:16 GMT -6
cnf I hope you get a slot if there is a lottery! Also, I think the idea of doing Montessori only until K or first grade is a good one. While we like Montessori/Reggio Emilia for nursery/preschool/Kindergarten, we plan to put DS in a traditional school once he hits first grade. (This is what they do in Finland too...if you can't tell, I am a big fan of the Finnish education system!...hahaha) Edited: Autocorrect/spelling
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cnf
Ruby
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Post by cnf on Jun 13, 2017 7:44:49 GMT -6
cnf I hope you get a slot if there is a lottery! Also, I think the idea of doing Montessori only until K or first grade is a good one. While we like Montessori/Reggio Emilia for nursery/preschool/Kindergarten, we plan to put DS in a traditional school once he hits first grade. (This is what they do in Finland too...if you can't tell, I am a big fan of the Finish education system!...hahaha) I can email and ask, but it looks like they do informational sessions in the winter with registration/slots/lottery in February, so I won't be that parent just yet, lol. Maybe in the fall. I also like the educational systems of Finland and Sweden. They seem to have their shit together.
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Post by sheilathetank on Jun 13, 2017 7:53:11 GMT -6
There is a Quaker school in my state that I've fallen in love with. No way we could afford it or be close enough to send her except in my fantasy world. I think it's similar in philosophy to montessori.
Then I look at my strong willed child and laugh when I see them talk about their peaceful environment
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Post by billyhorrible on Jun 13, 2017 8:42:01 GMT -6
Check out the school itself too. Not all Montessori are created equal.
LBB started out in a Reggio program, which I LOVED. We moved when he was 2.5, to an area with only 3 preschools, none of them Reggio. There was a Montessori, and I thought that would be the next best thing, until we visited.
The kids weren't allowed to talk inside during work time, so when we entered, it felt off. None of the kids even looked up at us/LBB when we entered, which seemed strange for 2/3/4 year olds. When they showed us outside, LBB went to explore and the teacher started screaming at him for not using the stair banister to go up one step to the playground. They were really strict about potty training, like they would kick your kid out for not sitting on the potty when they told him to. Overall it was not the experience we were expecting and we ended up sending him elsewhere.
I don't think that's typical and I'm not even sure it's truly Montessori, but it is why I wouldn't be sold on name alone.
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Taitai
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Post by Taitai on Jun 13, 2017 8:45:03 GMT -6
billyhorrible Omg that sounds horrifying. ETA: Like was for the recommendation of visiting the school first.
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cnf
Ruby
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Post by cnf on Jun 13, 2017 9:48:44 GMT -6
Check out the school itself too. Not all Montessori are created equal. LBB started out in a Reggio program, which I LOVED. We moved when he was 2.5, to an area with only 3 preschools, none of them Reggio. There was a Montessori, and I thought that would be the next best thing, until we visited. The kids weren't allowed to talk inside during work time, so when we entered, it felt off. None of the kids even looked up at us/LBB when we entered, which seemed strange for 2/3/4 year olds. When they showed us outside, LBB went to explore and the teacher started screaming at him for not using the stair banister to go up one step to the playground. They were really strict about potty training, like they would kick your kid out for not sitting on the potty when they told him to. Overall it was not the experience we were expecting and we ended up sending him elsewhere. I don't think that's typical and I'm not even sure it's truly Montessori, but it is why I wouldn't be sold on name alone. We will definitely check it out. I do know that Montessori's required kids be fully potty trained, but expecting a kid to go on demand, lol.
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Montessori
Jun 13, 2017 14:30:50 GMT -6
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Post by seamonster on Jun 13, 2017 14:30:50 GMT -6
My son goes to a Montessori daycare/preschool. It's more structured than you might think. The kids are free to choose their own thing to work on, but there is a schedule for the day. They still get free time and play time, but the "work" time where they get to pick what to work isn't really imaginative play focused. But they aren't kept from doing imaginative play during it (so if like they're doing a puzzle or matching thing, they can play with the pieces rather than doing the activity). They have circle time and do music and other free play. The school DS goes to emphasizes outdoor time and outdoor play when the weather isn't crazy hot.
There's also a focus on learning how to do chores (this is the best way I can describe it) like sweeping or setting the table. Which plays well with toddler desire to help. The one DS goes to doesn't require potty training until they're 2.5 with the idea that they're fully potty trained when they go into the 3-6 year old class.
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kcrkcs
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Post by kcrkcs on Jun 17, 2017 17:35:47 GMT -6
My whole family went to our local Montessori. I definitely credit it with my enjoyment of learning and ability to self start learning/work etc. there are (or at least were) some testing type things they do, but certainly homework etc. isn't a thing and took a minute to get used to. But I enjoyed learning so it wasn't a hard transition. Now L and her cousin go to the daycare and again I love it for her. There is routine in the day but tons of opportunity for her to explore and express herself. The mixed age thing is also great. If you haven't visited I definitely would. Ours requires a certain number of parent volunteer hours per year which makes me twitchy, I don't know if thats a thing at others. Anyway there might be things particular to the one you have access to that you could find out through a tour.
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sammysam
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Montessori
Jun 18, 2017 11:42:34 GMT -6
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Post by sammysam on Jun 18, 2017 11:42:34 GMT -6
Just jumping in here...not all schools that call themselves Montessori actually are. Make sure it is properly accredited. Also there are different types of Montessori (so how strictly they adhere to the actual philosophies). My cousin is a Montessori teacher (grade 4-5 age range) and my daughter is currently in Casa (ages 3-6). It has been amazing for us so far. The day is structured (outside play, then 3hrs of montessori programming, circle time, lunch, outdoor play, in the afternoon is art/gym/music depending on the day, free play, and French circle time). There are 3 teachers in the classroom at all times. One speaks only French and my daughter is already speaking French quite well because if it. The kids love it. She talks about school all the time. With the little ones there is never more than 3 hours of montessori programming in a day and it is always in the morning so they do have time for lots of imaginative play. The children are allowed to follow their own interests and once they are given a "presentation" on a station they can use it at will.
I am so impressed with everything I have seen from there so far.
A number of my friends and family members have sent their children to montessori before K and said it was the best decision ever...so far I completely agree. I am a public school high school teacher and from our experience so far our plan is to keep our daughter in for as long as possible...at least until grade 5...longer if the school expands.
But like others have said not all schools are created equal. There is another montessori school near us and I would never in a million years have sent DD there. They follow the philosophy differently and I did not like the environment or the programming at all. Definitely visit but if it's free and you like what you see then I'd do it. We pay for her to be there and for us the cost is totally worth it!
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