tell me about montessori...

[meow]

There ARE rules, such as only one person per activity (most activities).

Montessori teach letters, spelling, reading and phoenics from 3 years of age!

These are the two biggest gripes I have with Montessori and why I wouldn't send my child to one. I don't like the "one child to an activity" thing- where are the social skills in that? And I also don't like the empathsis on phoenics, tracing letters etc from such a young age. I don't think the research has found those to be these best ways for children to learn to read and write.

Personally Montessori is way too structured. I love the idea of respect and like all early childhood philosphies I'm sure it has many good points.

[DisGirl]

My DS1 has been going to the local Montessori since he turned three and it's amazing! He had never been in any kind of organised care before, but I felt really comfortable with the directoress of the school and really agree with the Montessori philosophy. DS1 is LOVING it. He has become more confident, more independent and seems to be learning so much.

It's been mentioned here that there isn't much emphasis on group activity, but at DS's school they have group activity time scheduled in to every day. I've also noticed that the older kids have kind of taken DS under their wings and helped to make him feel comfortable and at ease.

As for the teaching of letters and phonics, DS is enjoying that a lot. He's always had an interest in letters and numbers and now he's started sounding out words, which is really empowering for him

[Mum2SweetCs]

Last year i asked the same question, and in the end I put DD in a mainstream childcare. When i went to visit the montessori centre near our house, i asked if their work was more play focused and she said "no, it was not based on play but learning"

When i went to visit their center, there was a sense of calm yes, but i felt that it was too regimented for me. Everything was in the right place, even the "messy" corner was not messy at all. All the pencils were aligned.

I must admit, there were some things i really liked about the center, how they focus on the practical skills, children being more self confident etc, but to me (and my opinion only) i wanted DD to enjoy her childhood and focus more on play.

Even now i am still two minds about it, ie should i let DD focus on play or more on academics (ie send her to montessori) but kids also learn from play.

I really do wish there was a center that was between what i felt was a regimented too structured montessori and mainstream play focused childcare center.

[DisGirl]

I think that the different Montessori schools can differ quite a lot, from what I've read. DS gets bored at home with me and DS2 some afternoons - I'm so glad he has school each morning to keep him busy and his little mind ticking over. As for the play thing, DS has spent some mornings where he has done painting and chalkboarding for his whole 3 hours at school. It's just what he felt like doing that day, and to him, that's playing. He also loves puzzles and things and there are a lot of that sort of thing at his school. As for our DS2, we aren't sure whether he will be suited to Montessori just yet. We'll have to wait and see how his little personality develops

[Heaven]

Thinking about DD1 and kindy for next year already

Would love to hear some more people's experiences with Montessori, I just found out there's one in our suburb.

[Saffy]

My cousin's 3 children all went to Montessori. They moved to another Melb suburb and changed to the local Montessori there, but cousin's DD was being bullied there and when Cousin went to the school to discuss it they didn't do anything. She ended up moving DD to local primary where she is happy now and I think all the children have been taken out of Montessori now and placed in local school. Cousin and her DH were Montessori fanatics before this so i think they have changed their tune after this, although I guess each school is different so maybe this wouldn't have happened if they didn't change to another suburb/ school. ( this story is second hand from my aunty so may not be completely accurate)

Cousins 3 children are all lovely children and have a lot of interests and I don't think its done them any harm, in fact I think it was good for them, they are very well rounded, intellegent kids.

I would consider it, I think it depends on the individual centre as as DIsGirl says.