Transition Montessori to traditional private

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One thing I would do to prepare your kid is explain how the different educational philosophy requires some of the things they will find annoying. For example when my kids switched from Montessori to traditional they were frustrated by the fact that they couldn't just speed through or skip everything that was easy or that they already knew and it helped when I just pointed out to them that the reason they can't do that is because the lessons are given to the group and so they have to make sure at least most of the kids understand before moving on. Then they were fine with it. Still bored but no longer feeling like they were victims of injustice lolol. They just hadn't really put that together for themselves. They were six so maybe an older child would figure that out by themselves -- but I'd just kinda think about how the day is different and why and highlight the reason for anything you think your kid will struggle with if they don't know the reason for it.

+1 and if your child is really young, make sure they know that recess isn't "a choice" and not coming back from recess also isn't "a choice." My child's first teacher had some stories to tell about the kid who politely kept telling her, "No, thank you, that is not my choice." She was new to teaching and had no experience with Montessori, so didn't quite know how to interpret this language at first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing I would do to prepare your kid is explain how the different educational philosophy requires some of the things they will find annoying. For example when my kids switched from Montessori to traditional they were frustrated by the fact that they couldn't just speed through or skip everything that was easy or that they already knew and it helped when I just pointed out to them that the reason they can't do that is because the lessons are given to the group and so they have to make sure at least most of the kids understand before moving on. Then they were fine with it. Still bored but no longer feeling like they were victims of injustice lolol. They just hadn't really put that together for themselves. They were six so maybe an older child would figure that out by themselves -- but I'd just kinda think about how the day is different and why and highlight the reason for anything you think your kid will struggle with if they don't know the reason for it.

+1 and if your child is really young, make sure they know that recess isn't "a choice" and not coming back from recess also isn't "a choice." My child's first teacher had some stories to tell about the kid who politely kept telling her, "No, thank you, that is not my choice." She was new to teaching and had no experience with Montessori, so didn't quite know how to interpret this language at first.

Going out and coming back in at the designated recess times isn’t a choice kids can make in Montessori schools either. They choose what works they want, but they don’t choose their whole schedule.