Pros and Cons of Montessori education?

[Anonymous]

she just picked over and over the easiest stuff to do. Maybe in a better program she would have learned more?

It depends on how you define "better," I suppose. The M program our kids attend stresses that the children need to choose their own work, although they do need to have a lesson in it. The teachers will give a lesson in something to a child who seems interested or in need of a new challenge, but I don't know what they'd do with a child who consistently picks the easiest thing. Kids have different learning styles, and parents have different attitudes towards playing to a child's strengths vs pushing them out of their comfort zones a little.

My nephew sounds a lot like your daughter, and his parents pulled him out of a Montessori program into a more traditional school, where he was much happier.

[Anonymous]

Thought I would chime in; we're in the San Francisco Bay Area and our 4 y.o. daughter is attending a highly regarded AMI-certified M school. We thought it would be a great fit for her---self-directed, learn-from-work, collaborate-with-mixed-age-group. BUT, here's what we've noticed----M may not be a fit for a child who is artistically-oriented, and very verbal (likes to learn through discussion and general social interaction). The traditional Montessori class is short on arts/crafts supplies, and short on group interaction. On the one hand, she is pushed to learn things that she otherwise probably wouldn't know by now (cursive letters)...on the other, most mornings it's a challenge to get her back to school.

[Anonymous]

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=students-prosper-with-mon

Hope you can read the article above. It was published in SA about 3 years ago.

[Anonymous]

My kids are in M school. I haven't read all the responses but I have a few opinions.

pros:
- lots of manipulatives for learning math and letters
- lots of small group work and working with a partner
- kids chose what to work on when, within guidelines of what has to get done each day/week
- none of that "we're all going to paint the same picture/make the same craft/go to the bathroom at the same time" institutionalization
- mixed age in the classroom can inspire younger kids to try harder academic material that older kids are doing
- really smart kids have the independence to advance in a subject as they feel ready

cons:
- same teacher for 3 years sucks if the kid and the teacher don't like each other
- mixed age in the classroom could open the door to some bullying by the older kids
- little to no homework means kids lack study skills when they leave M school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids are in M school. I haven't read all the responses but I have a few opinions.

pros:
- lots of manipulatives for learning math and letters
- lots of small group work and working with a partner
- kids chose what to work on when, within guidelines of what has to get done each day/week
- none of that "we're all going to paint the same picture/make the same craft/go to the bathroom at the same time" institutionalization
- mixed age in the classroom can inspire younger kids to try harder academic material that older kids are doing
- really smart kids have the independence to advance in a subject as they feel ready

cons:
- same teacher for 3 years sucks if the kid and the teacher don't like each other
- mixed age in the classroom could open the door to some bullying by the older kids
- little to no homework means kids lack study skills when they leave M school

You mean for the older kids. I can't imagine the youngsters needing study skills through homework.

[Anonymous]

cons:
- same teacher for 3 years sucks if the kid and the teacher don't like each other
- mixed age in the classroom could open the door to some bullying by the older kids
- little to no homework means kids lack study skills when they leave M school

I feel the exact same as this PP, also lack of team work it seems.

[Anonymous]

Response to 12:47 - 19:57 hit the nail on the head. MSM is the school, BTW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=students-prosper-with-mon

Hope you can read the article above. It was published in SA about 3 years ago.

Seems like that article is saying that in Milwaukee, for kids from low to middle income families, ($20,000 to $50,000 a year) participating in a Montessori school resulted in higher test scores than going to the local public school.

But I'm not sure how good the local public schools in Milwaukee are, so that's not really saying much.

And what if your kid isn't from a low-income family?

[Anonymous]

We decided against Montessori school. Preschool is a time for kids to develop social skills and their imaginations, which forms the foundation of higher level thinking later. The schools near us do not seem to have much interaction, it is very individually focused. We were also put off by the rigidity of there being a "right" and "wrong" way to play with the materials. We were told for example, that if a child took a pot from the toy kitchen and imaginatively put it on her head as a hat, that she would be redirected and if she continued to "work" incorrectly she would be removed. I can imagine that it could be done differently. OP, having had a toddler and a newborn, I think that you are crazy to think of spending 90 min in the car per day, that is 7.5 HOURS per week. I also think that having your child so far away won't allow you to easily spend time there and get a sense of how it is working. Find a closer preschool with a nice playground and kind teachers. She is only 2. The school cut the tuition because they are not full, other people are passing on that opportunity.

[Anonymous]

I would like to chime in and say that anyone who is looking into Montessori or is on the fence about it, should really read the book, "Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius" by Angeline Stoll Lillard. It is a technical read at times, but it really gives a good understanding of why the Montessori method does things the way it does and why it works. In this thread, I have seen a lot of common misinformation about Montessori and this book helps clear those things up. The book will also give you a new perspective of what is wrong with the current education system overall.

I also would like to point out that a "center that has a Montessori approach" is not a true Monterssori school. When people say they dislike Montessori based off of an experience or observation of a Montessori "approach" preschool or daycare, it makes me think of a person declaring that they don't like Italian food because they don't like the chicken parmesean sandwich at Burger King.

[Anonymous]

Another excellent book which is not so technical is "Montessori Madness A Parent to Parent Argument
for Montessori Education" by Trevor Eissler.

http://www.montessorimadness.com/

I just finished this book which does a great job of describing Montessori in a way that makes very difficult concepts understandable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would like to chime in and say that anyone who is looking into Montessori or is on the fence about it, should really read the book, "Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius" by Angeline Stoll Lillard. It is a technical read at times, but it really gives a good understanding of why the Montessori method does things the way it does and why it works. In this thread, I have seen a lot of common misinformation about Montessori and this book helps clear those things up. The book will also give you a new perspective of what is wrong with the current education system overall.

I also would like to point out that a "center that has a Montessori approach" is not a true Monterssori school. When people say they dislike Montessori based off of an experience or observation of a Montessori "approach" preschool or daycare, it makes me think of a person declaring that they don't like Italian food because they don't like the chicken parmesean sandwich at Burger King.

LOVE this book, and just read the entire thing in a few nights. Totally agree with you, and your analogy about Italian food at Burger King is fantastic!!!!! We are a Montessori family as well, initially just for the three year pre-k through K cycle, but now also in elementary school. The book only served to help us feel even better about our decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another excellent book which is not so technical is "Montessori Madness A Parent to Parent Argument
for Montessori Education" by Trevor Eissler.

http://www.montessorimadness.com/

I just finished this book which does a great job of describing Montessori in a way that makes very difficult concepts understandable.

I'm the 14:58 poster. I was thinking about getting this book after I saw a review of it in the Tomorrow's Child magazine we get from DS's school. I'm glad to hear others like it - I think I'll go ahead and get it.

[Anonymous]

My own daughter loved Montessori school and enrolled her DD this fall at 2 years 10 months in an outstanding Montessori school in DC. I must say being with the older children has been wonderful for her language development. We are amazed at how much she has learned. She adores her teachers and loves to read (has memorized) stories to us every night just like her teacher does. We sit down and she holds the book towards us and keeps us focused. Her artisitic expression and creativity have provided hours of entertainment for all of us. I will be sending a small gift to the Annual Fund to recognize the wonderful work they are doing.

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I live in Brazil and we have an american school here, wich is montessori. My son is ADHD and I really think he would learn better going to montessori school and learning english wich is the primary language there. Do you think he would pay more attetion/learn better over there?

www.escolaamericanadecampinas.com.br