Pros and Cons of Montessori education?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have all been ragging on my comments about the negatives of Montessori. I want to add that the Montessori school I was referring to was PUBLIC and POORLY run. (No, I will NOT say I was doing it incorrectly when a child was allowed to spit in my face, punch me in the private parts, and he was NOT removed from my classroom.) The children in my child's class across the hall was also doing these things to my daughter, so do not blame it on me!

On another note, I observed a private Montessori school (which is beyond the realm of affordability), and the children were writing research papers in 3rd grade. I will NOT say that all Montessori schools are bad, I said BE VERY CAREFUL!

You chose to use these experience as evidence that Montessori does not prepare children well. We chose to point out that they had nothing to do with Montessori.

I don't see why our pointing that out is making you so angry. You were busted. Deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I noticed that a lot of public school teachers seem biased against Montessori kids. I remember when my daughter was 8 years old and in Montessori -- some "know it all" public school teacher parent friend mentioned she thought Montessori was great for just slow learners ...well -- my DD is at an Ivy now -- and the teacher is still infecting p.s. kids minds.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a teacher I would just like to add my own input. I have had many students transfer from Montessori schools to my public school classroom and truly struggle. In Montessori education students are not taught deadlines or accountability and are often shocked when they have to hand in reports or essays on time. Parents too are shocked when they see that their Montessori educated child is not always the star pupil of the class. I have also found that although these children enjoy reading and love to write and write and write, if one actually reads their work it is riddled with grammatical errors. This has just been my observation over my years of teaching. Hope that helps some people.

So your daughter went to a montessori that serviced students from K-12? Please clarify by filling in the gaps.

[Anonymous]

To me, play time is play time and work is work. What happens when these kids get jobs in the world? They were taught that work means I can run around and do what I want(?).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To me, play time is play time and work is work. What happens when these kids get jobs in the world? They were taught that work means I can run around and do what I want(?).

Choosing their work means choosing something to do in a focused, thoughtful way.

There is also time for free play, which is the running-around part.

Why do you think this is going to cause problems, especially considering that these kids will have years to grow up and learn to behave like grown-ups. And Montessori does a great job of teaching self-control, which is something some of my coworkers seem not to have grasped yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a teacher I would just like to add my own input. I have had many students transfer from Montessori schools to my public school classroom and truly struggle. In Montessori education students are not taught deadlines or accountability and are often shocked when they have to hand in reports or essays on time. Parents too are shocked when they see that their Montessori educated child is not always the star pupil of the class. I have also found that although these children enjoy reading and love to write and write and write, if one actually reads their work it is riddled with grammatical errors. This has just been my observation over my years of teaching. Hope that helps some people.

I see two issues here. One is the philosphy and administration of the Montessori school. Some Montessoris emphasize grammar and some do not. I am partial to AMI, but even within AMI or AMS, their is a good deal of variation between schools in terms of how well students are taught to write. However, many public schools are a disaster when it comes to teaching writing -- good writing has become a lost art. Also, public schools tend not to teach much geography, and often use questionable methodologies to teach math.

The bigger issue is that the variation in instructional method and curriculum between a Montessori school and public school becomes increasing large in later grades, and so the transition for the child is often rough. Public schools have age-segregated classes, a lot of multiple-choice tests, and often follow the latest education fads, irrespective of their efficacy. With the rise of No Child Left Behind, many public schools, have basically stopped teaching history, science, art, music, writing, creative thinking, etc., and focus primarily on drilling basic math and reading. Montessoris, on the other hand, offer their students a rich curricula, and an environment conducive to learning.

Before first grade, the differences between Montessori and public schools that I cite above are not that large, so typically there is no problem for the child who does Montessori from age 3-6, and then goes to public school. It's a bigger issue for students who attend a Montessori school up to third grade, six grade, or higher, and then try to transfer to public school. The outcome of the transfer is often the same -- the students is far beyond their peers, but the public school considers their intellectual curiosity to be a bevahioral problem.

My advice to others who have children in a Montessori school beyond the age of 6, or who plan to do so is that you will likely need to find a private school or specialized public school (e.g., magnet, charter) to send them to after they graduate.

[Anonymous]

We're considering sending our son to a Montessori pre-school. Can someone explain the theory behind Montessori education, and perhaps how good it is for preparing a child for kindergarten?

I'd also love to hear pros/cons or comparisons of Montessori versus traditional pre-schools.

The OP is asking about preschool not K-12 so some of the previous posts may not be relevant. I kept my kids in Montessori until K and plan to keep my youngest in Montessori for K. About half the parents/kids in my childs' classes decided to stay for K or go to K for public school. Academically, every kid was ahead entering MCPS so in terms of preparation for K or 1st grade it is a good option. The caveat is to make sure that you choose a real Montessori school that is AMI not AMS.

I think the way Montessori schools approach reading and math builds a better foundation for the kids. They start introducing concepts when they are 3 like learning the sounds of the letters and the first sounds of works or counting quantities in larger sets. They do teach sight words later on but the jump to coding and decoding seems easier and faster since they have some experience with the phonic approach. For kids who are advanced, it is a good setting because they can easily move ahead faster. For kids with any delays, one of my children has an auditory processing disorder, the approach is helpful too. There is benefit that he can move forward in other areas and still work in places were he struggles without feeling like he is behind or holding up the class. If you compare the curriculum/skills at the end of Montessori and the MCPS K, the Montessori program should be much farther ahead than MCPS.

From a transition standpoint, the big difference is time and independence. In Montessori, the kids are allowed to work on a particular activity for somewhat as long as they want. I say somewhat because the teacher does guide them to move on at some point..ie they are not allowed to do the multiplication board for 6 straight hours. At MCPS the time is much more rigid and switches often. The kids get X minutes to complete something and must move on. They are given things to do rather than being able to choose. One of my kids had a hard time stopping after 6 minutes and was always upset that she could not finish. If your child has a propensity to be a perfectionist then I would suggest practicing at home over the summer using a timer.

MCPS K is not that challenging, which IMO is not a bad thing. I don't think you need to worry about your child being well prepped. One of DD's friends is smart but went to a bad preschool program. While she was behind others in reading at first, she quickly caught up in K.

[Anonymous]

I was a total devotee of Montessori until it turned out to be the wrong choice for my daughter. At 2 she went to a montessori toddler program and she liked it quite a lot. She is pretty boisterous and smart (she can read by herself and is only 3). Several posters have correctly stated that not all Montessori are the same. My daughter moved to a different one that was Spanish immersed at age 3 and it has been a DISASTER. She totally feels hemmed in and overly organized. The room itself is perhaps too small and the teacher seems to be a bit of a micromanager. It is set up that the children come in and then go to their stations and yes they pick among "the work" that they have had a lesson on but they can't choose to just play, which at 3 may be exactly what they want to do and perhaps need to do. My daughter loves ballet and so she might want to twirl her dress for a while and imagine being a princess but that is not allowed and will draw a "consequence" if she persists. They are to do "their work" and not interfere ie talk to the children around them who are doing "their work" Even the lunch is pretty regulated in the way you have to take out your lunch and lay out your napkin and place mat. I think I am going to look for a play based program for her which I never thought I would do but this is not working out for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

In my opinion, JUST NOT TRUE!!! Montesssori is based on respect for others & the environment, courtesy, and kindness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

But the flip side is if the teacher is great, than you have him/her for 3 years!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Montessori kids may be playing, but it's (sometimes? always?) referred to as work. It's always odd to me to hear the parents of a young Montessori child I know refer to whatever activity she's doing as her "work," even something like playing (working?) with a toy kitchen.

Using the word "WORK" simply gives importance to what the child is doing, and it validates their working hard. They quite simply enjoy their "work!!!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: little to no homework means kids lack study skills when they leave M school

But you can buy books and help your DC at home

But what is more important, "study skills???" or a Montessori education that values a "love of learning," "teaches concepts in an interesting way that are the stepping-stones for more difficult concepts to be later learned?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Inaccurate information from my experience:
1) Every Montessori program I have ever visited has an art area, and and easel for painting.
2) Group interaction occurs during lunch, snack, recess, and when children work together during class time. It is not all individual, alone time.

In my opinion, it sounds like perhaps this Montessori school/class is not a good fit(???)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC had a very bad experience with Montessori -- Evergreen in Wheaton -- but other schools may do better.

Everyone has their own experience, and forms their opinion on it. However, my experience at Evergreen was FANTASTIC!!! I think it is a wonderful school, as do the other people I know who send their children there.
I recommend this school very highly.

[Anonymous]

Montessori works until Grade 1. Dr. Montessori designed the approach for the early age. The rest is all business ...What bothers me is that even if a child is prepared to work at an abstract level, he still has to play with the materials

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Montessori works until Grade 1. Dr. Montessori designed the approach for the early age. The rest is all business ...What bothers me is that even if a child is prepared to work at an abstract level, he still has to play with the materials

I am an expereinced Montessori teacher.

1) I do think Montessori is best through grade 1. However, many elementary children DO thrive in Montessori education. It just may not be for everyone.
Of course, it is also a business. Every private school out there is, as well.

2) "WORK" with the materials is the correct terminology.

3) Actually, Montessori starts with the concrete, and then goes immediately to the abstract when the child is ready. This is true in both the primary and elementary level.