Is Montessori Overrated?

[Anonymous]

i think the schools are all very different. my son went to a montessori and had plenty of outdoor play and pretend play during recess and in the afterschool program. also had dance, theater, music, lots of outdoor time, lots of art. lots of time for creativity...

[Anonymous]

I don't think there is anything wrong with the Montessori method per se, but I do think Montessori around here is overrated and is used to charge parents more $$. Not that the Montessori schools around here aren't good, but I don't think they are better than any NAEYC center and worth any premium. 30 yrs ago Montessori was more unique compared to what day care centers were like. We decided against Montessori as we just didn't think it a good fit...the orientation session was full of hyperbole about Montessori and included a list of celebrities who were Montessori educated...just seemed elitist and we were turned off by the whole thing.

[Anonymous]

There are some drawbacks in the Montessori period such as no pretend play and sometimes little music and PE, but I've found that some Montessori schools allow this stuff in the afternoons for a more balanced americanized version of preschool. Unfortunately the closest Montessori school to us has a very strict version of Montessori materials only being allowed all day long from 8-6 forcing us to look further out, so these types are still out there too. As the children get older in Montessori they are encouraged more to work collaboratively. It seems to be the opposite in a way of traditional schooling which is why I prefer Montessori as the children get a little older. We definitely had a positive experience overall but went with a more modernized one which suited us the best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, there are also plenty of schools that pick and chose the Montessori stuff within a more traditional play based school. Ours is one. They have Montessori trained teachers and allow the kids to move from station to station, aren't pressuring them to meet specific achievement levels, but they also encourage dress up and imaginary play.

Keep looking at many schools - you will find the right fit.

What's the name of your school?

[Anonymous]

So many misconceptions here!
(FWIW: A am a Montessori teacher.)

* Like ANY program/teaching philosophy, the class is as good as the TEACHER.
* No, a GOOD teacher would NOT let a child do whatever they wanted all day.
* SOCIAL SKILLS are a HUGE aspect of the Montessori philosophy. It is actually titled "Grace & Courtesy" and there is an entire curriculum that is followed.
* At my school, the children have a 45 morning recess, in addition to music, art, PE, library. Additional recess in the afternoon, too, for extended-day.r
* There are 2 Montessori certifications. (AMS & AMI.) AMS is a slightly more laid-back approach than AMI. However, both certifications require extensive training for teachers.

[Anonymous]

Any preschool that uses the term "recess" makes me uncomfortable. Recess suggests that all other activities are most important and the recess part is just a break from them. Free play, both indoor and outdoor, where children choose to explore what interests them, should be a major part of a preschooler's day!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any preschool that uses the term "recess" makes me uncomfortable. Recess suggests that all other activities are most important and the recess part is just a break from them. Free play, both indoor and outdoor, where children choose to explore what interests them, should be a major part of a preschooler's day!

Wow! That's exactly what my 5 YO said to be. Can you believe that?!?!?!?!?!

[Anonymous]

I'm a Montessori believer and have both my kids in a Montessori school. They are thriving and excited to go to school each day and they come home full of interesting information and excited to share what they did that day.

That said, I am also a believer that no teaching method is right for every child. There are some children that do better in, say, a Waldorf school. You are the parent. You know your child better than anyone. And each child is different. Montessori might not be right for your oldest child but be perfect for youngest. Or not. Follow your instincts. They're usually right.

[Anonymous]

Montessori was not a good fit for my dd. Dd is very independent and loves pretend play. At the Montessori school she was restricted in her activities - you had to have a lesson on something before using it. I felt it was so contrived....

[Anonymous]

That said, I am also a believer that no teaching method is right for every child. There are some children that do better in, say, a Waldorf school. You are the parent. You know your child better than anyone. And each child is different. Montessori might not be right for your oldest child but be perfect for youngest. Or not. Follow your instincts. They're usually right.

Why wouldn't every teaching method at least at the outset try to work for every child? I don't believe the Montessorians would agree with this nor should they. Montessorians should just admit that it is the school and teacher which make the Montessori curriculum work well for children and their families, not just the materials themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, there are also plenty of schools that pick and chose the Montessori stuff within a more traditional play based school. Ours is one. They have Montessori trained teachers and allow the kids to move from station to station, aren't pressuring them to meet specific achievement levels, but they also encourage dress up and imaginary play.

Keep looking at many schools - you will find the right fit.

What's the name of your school?

Spring valley Montessori. Also it has a teacher to kid ratio of 1:4 or 5.

[Anonymous]

MOntessori wasn't for us either. We also find it overrated and a fad. No one, not on this forum or outside this forum has been able to tell me what the advantages are in a way that has made sense to me. I guess I just dont get it and we much prefer the play based approach. My friend just pulled her DC out of Montessori. It didn't work for them either. She kept saying everyone was acting like a space cadet and the kids werent social in the ways she expected.

[Anonymous]

It depends on the child. My child seemed to do better with far more structure.

[Anonymous]

Not a big fan of Montessori either. I think it is a teaching philosophy that is rather outdated. I do like some of the Montessori principles for older children, though, such as learning at one's own pace.

[ocmontessori123]

Hi everyone,

Am a Montessori school teacher, i just tell something about the Montessori.

All teachers are required to be Montessori Certified.

Teacher has classrooms role in classroom activity, child is an active participant in learning.

Environment and method encourage internal self-discipline.

Instruction, both individual and group, adapts to each student's leaning style.

Mixed age grouping.

Children are encouraged to teach, collaborate and help each other.

Child chooses own work from interests and abilities.

The classrooms maintain a low teacher to student ration policy which ensures optimum learning and individualized academic instruction.

Child works as long as he/she wishes on chosen projects.

Child sets own leaning pace to internalize information.

Child spots own errors through feedback from material.

Learning is reinforced internally through the child's own repetition of an activity and internal feelings of success.

Multi-sensory materials for physical exploration

Organized program for learning care of self and the environment (polishing shoes, cleaning the sink, etc.)

Child can work where he/she is comfortable, moves around and talks at will; group work is voluntary and negotiable.

Emphasis on cognitive structures and social development.

All teachers are CPR and First-Aid trained

Child formulates own concepts from self-teaching materials.