Should I switch from daycare/preschool to Montessori? Bethesda/Rockville recs?

[Anonymous]

My son is 3 years old and he is currently going to a day care that offers a preschool curriculum. We've been very happy with this place and my son likes it. But I'm worried that the curriculum is not challenging enough for him. He's a bright kid. He learns new things very quickly, is very articulate and creative. He seeks out learning on his own and asks a lot of questions.

I went to a Montessori preschool when I was his age and I remember learning so much while not even realizing that I was learning. I loved being able to sit with an activity for as long as I wanted and explore it, and I liked having individual attention from teachers who could explain things to me and answer my questions one-on-one. My son has a similar temperament. At home, he'll play on his own for long periods of time, constructing things out of blocks, cars, legos, animals, etc. and telling stories about them.

Anyhow, I'm realizing that as warm and wonderful as his teachers are at his current school, it really is just a day care and not a school per se. At our latest parent-teacher conference, his teachers expressed amazement that he could write his name and a couple of other words, and they said they would take him aside and start teaching him more advanced things "like the lower-case letters" (which he already knows). I think if he were given the opportunity and tools to learn more advanced skills, he would soak it up like a sponge.

At the same time, I don't want to push him too much. He is just a kid and he likes his school. He's shy and it's taken him a while to come out of his shell and feel comfortable speaking up in class and interacting with the other kids. He's doing well now. I worry that Montessori might be too isolating. When I transferred from Montessori preschool to a regular 1st-grade class, I had no idea how to socialize with other kids and I was labeled a "weirdo."

I guess I'm also beginning to explore this idea too late to actually enroll him in any of the montessori schools in my area (North Bethesda) this fall. I've scheduled some tours but I suspect the waiting lists are long. Because my husband and I both work full-time, we would need either an extended-day option at the school or we'd have to hire a part-time nanny.

Any thoughts? Should I just keep him where he is and maybe try to do some montessori activities with him at home? (Where do I learn how to do that?) Any recommendations for schools? There is a lot of conflicting information/opinion in my searches so far. Is there an organization that evaluates Montessori preschools? I am looking at Lone Oak, Manor, and White Flint Children's House so far. I have heard Franklin is good, but it's too far away. What about social skills - do they suffer in Montessori programs?

Thanks for any feedback you can offer, and I apologize for the rather vague post.

[Anonymous]

I've heard good things about both of those schools but Montessori hasn't changed too much since you went to school. That's interesting you had social difficulties entering traditional school. I hear that often about Montessori schools. How long did it take you to be "normalized" as they say in Montessori in the traditional school? How many hours do you need the school for? Some Montessori schools are better for half day and some for full day.

[Anonymous]

Montessori programs are over rated.

If you are happy with his current daycare/preschool, your son likes it, and the teachers are warm and loving, I would keep him the current day care. Those are much more important at that age than some fancy curriculum.

[kaybn]

Have you looked at cooperative (AKA parent-participation) preschools? There's usually a play-based curriculum at most of them, and our experience at RCNS has been that there is lots of information on the curriculum (they use the "Creative Curriculum" which is really good) and child development available for parents who are interested in learning more about what their child is doing/learning, and it gives you lots of ideas for how to extend beyond the school day - really sets you up to be your child's best teacher for life. You help the teacher in the classroom on a regular basis, and the teachers all have education degrees & lots of training, so you learn a lot there about your own child and how to support their learning, but you're also surrounded by parents who think education is important, and so there's lots of peer support for a rich environment for your child. I hear Montessouri is great, and I know parents who love it, but I used to be a K-4 science teacher and saw more than one kid have lots of trouble transitioning to structured schools from Montessori's freeform environment (even though the school I taught at was an independent school so small classes, etc). I'm sure that depends on your child, who you know best! Coops are usually a lot cheaper than Montessori, as a bonus benefit, but they aren't usually long enough hours if you really need childcare coverage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Montessori programs are over rated.

If you are happy with his current daycare/preschool, your son likes it, and the teachers are warm and loving, I would keep him the current day care. Those are much more important at that age than some fancy curriculum.

agreed. especially if you are at Rock Spring or one of the other great daycares in the area, you're overthinking how much your child would prosper at Montessori in comparison. It might actually be worse for him long-term.

[Anonymous]

I agree with all posters here. Montessori has a great "pitch." But, we had issues with socialization difficulties when transitioning into the public school system.

Also, the montessori method isn't for all kids. And it really requires a self-driven child, great teacher, and a classroom that isn't bursting at the seams with kids.

[Anonymous]

I understand you completely- Try FAmily Academy Of Bethesda, they are wonderful, teachers are longstanding and are like 'family' where your child can blossom. They give so much .love ' and affection to each child and make them independent as well. The volume of learning is unbelievable.
I would get parent referrals and talk parents as well.
Montessori is the way I would go as the materials in the classroom are teaching aids which are not available in other class settings. e.g., pink tower/knobless cylinders/geometric boxes/ number rods etc.

[Anonymous]

If you will switch to Montessori, you have to make sure the school accredited and the teachers have all the credentials required.
Teachers should have Bachelor's degree evaluated by accredited Evaluation centers, like WES,plus certified Montessoi accredited
by Montessori of Maryland. Parents should ask from school a copy of each Teacher's Evaluation and Montessori Certificate.

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Since it's pretty late in the year, I thought you might be interested in Montessori tutoring. I can work with you to order or make materials that we can use at home. I have taught at the elementary level for several years but now exclusively tutor children. I am Montessori trained for ages 3 – 12. I have a Master’s of Arts (specializing in Advanced Montessori Education), and a Master’s of Education (specializing in Primary Montessori Education). For your convenience, I am available for in-home tutoring in the DC metro area (I am located in Alexandria). You can also bring your son to my house if you prefer. I can be contacted at [e-mail]. I look forward to speaking with you!

[Anonymous]

The important thing is that the child is learning and having a good time while learning. If you are interested in seeing what Montessori has to offer there is nothing wrong with calling a few places and scheduling a tour and observing the kids in the classroom.

You should check out Rock Creek Montessori. It's a smaller pre-K through K school that has some great teachers. My son went there and was reading chapter books and had excellent math skills (addition/subtraction and the beginnings of multiplication/division concepts) by the time he was out of kindergarten. www.RockCreekMontessori.com

[Anonymous]

The other thing to point out is that if you are looking for a full-day program, typically the after-school program is not Montessori. For example, at Franklin there is outside time, art, etc etc. So there are many opportunities for kids to play with other kids.