I'm a DC Montessorian. AMA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for sharing your expertise with us. I am trying to decide if Montessori and/or Reggio Emilia is right for my son. Can you offer some suggestions for how to tell which is best for him.

The differences are vast, and worth researching. Are these public programs in DC by any chance?

I will always favor Montessori- it's my passion, so obviously, I'll push for Montessori. That being said, I favor RE over Waldorf and traditional public education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have know two kids who were kicked out a Montessori school after a month with the suggestion to evaluate them for special needs. Both went on to another preschool and later are doing fine in school; neither has a special need. The pediatricians and the a nearby preschool director both admitted that they have seen quite a few cases from this well know Montessori school. Is this a school specific thing (large class size) ? Or is Montessori school in general cannot handle certain type of typically developing but demanding kids?

How ironic and disgraceful. Montessori began her observations and formed her first philosophies in order to help children with special needs, and sadly, this is something that I see a lot in certain schools. It confuses me to no end. I know of one large DC program that is a little crazy with their screening process, and so I've never had a desire to apply for work there. I wonder if it's the same school...

It's school specific, 100%.

[Anonymous]

OP, what do you think about Montessori teaching as a late-30s career change? I'm mulling over applying for the Loyola/WMI AMI elementary training next year.

[Anonymous]

I feel like our Montessori school kept its parents always at arms length. I don't doubt that the kids learned a great deal, but there was no sense of "we're all in this together" that I found at another preschool. I get not wanting to have parents buzzing around during the day, but I would have liked my teachers to put down their guard a bit and really talk to the parents, just as people.

I felt there were a lot of buzz words - almost like they were a marketing department. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, what do you think about Montessori teaching as a late-30s career change? I'm mulling over applying for the Loyola/WMI AMI elementary training next year.

Yes! Please! Do it, Loyola is amazing! I really can't speak highly enough. It's truly fulfilling work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like our Montessori school kept its parents always at arms length. I don't doubt that the kids learned a great deal, but there was no sense of "we're all in this together" that I found at another preschool. I get not wanting to have parents buzzing around during the day, but I would have liked my teachers to put down their guard a bit and really talk to the parents, just as people.

I felt there were a lot of buzz words - almost like they were a marketing department. Thoughts?

Again, this is school specific, and I would guess your school was a small corporate Montessori that is indeed focused on the profit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does Montessori work in the elementary and middle school grades? What children do best in this environment (beyond primary classrooms)? Thanks!

Lower elementary is ages 6-9 and upper elementary is 9-12. There is a much bigger focus on group projects and collaborative work. While a primary classroom has lots of individualized work, it's not uncommon to see a cluster of older children completing a science experiment together. The most ideal situation is a child who started Montessori as a 3 year old, but that's obviously not always possible. Homework is given, but it will be one or two small projects to be done over the course of a week.

A diverse group of children can benefit since they have the freedom to be social, or to work independently. If a child struggles with focusing, I've found Montessori to be a real gift since it is so hands on.

I noticed this as well and realised it was a drawback to have my child do a lot of individual work in private preschool and then more individual work in public elementary. Since many parents take the same route and stop Montessori by first grade often because of cost, what is the Montessori community doing to help these children develop more collaborative skills similar to play based preschools before starting public school? Why is it so different from Montessori preschool to Montessori Elementary anyway?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does Montessori work in the elementary and middle school grades? What children do best in this environment (beyond primary classrooms)? Thanks!

Lower elementary is ages 6-9 and upper elementary is 9-12. There is a much bigger focus on group projects and collaborative work. While a primary classroom has lots of individualized work, it's not uncommon to see a cluster of older children completing a science experiment together. The most ideal situation is a child who started Montessori as a 3 year old, but that's obviously not always possible. Homework is given, but it will be one or two small projects to be done over the course of a week.

A diverse group of children can benefit since they have the freedom to be social, or to work independently. If a child struggles with focusing, I've found Montessori to be a real gift since it is so hands on.

I noticed this as well and realised it was a drawback to have my child do a lot of individual work in private preschool and then more individual work in public elementary. Since many parents take the same route and stop Montessori by first grade often because of cost, what is the Montessori community doing to help these children develop more collaborative skills similar to play based preschools before starting public school? Why is it so different from Montessori preschool to Montessori Elementary anyway?

In this instance, Montessori absolutely follows true with what we know about children development. Very young children will engage in "parallel" play, and are not ready for the social structure required for cooperative play. As children are in the primary classroom, they will naturally develop these skills.

Montessori teachers will allow this process to happen on its own, instead of forcing group work and sharing. It is certainly allowed. Teachers are taught to interfere as little as possible and allow children to chat, have conversations, and offer suggestion to each other in all classrooms, whenever they wish so long as it isn't super loud or disruptive.

[Anonymous]

Parallel play ends around 2 to 3 years old before most children start a primary classroom.

[Anonymous]

Montessori has lessons for every activity. Why are there no lessons or activities designed to help preschoolers play together?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parallel play ends around 2 to 3 years old before most children start a primary classroom.

It is first spotted during this age. It ends while the child is in primary and evolves while they are still in that classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Montessori has lessons for every activity. Why are there no lessons or activities designed to help preschoolers play together?

There is no reason to teach something that comes so naturally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what do you think about Montessori teaching as a late-30s career change? I'm mulling over applying for the Loyola/WMI AMI elementary training next year.

Yes! Please! Do it, Loyola is amazing! I really can't speak highly enough. It's truly fulfilling work.

Thanks so much for the response, that's terrific to hear! What are your thoughts on training for primary versus elementary? Are they very different? Do you see more jobs available in one area or the other?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Montessori has lessons for every activity. Why are there no lessons or activities designed to help preschoolers play together?

My understanding is that this is the function of the grace and courtesy lessons.

http://www.forsmallhands.com/ideas-insights/please-thank-you-youre-welcome-excuse-me

[Anonymous]

Thank you for offering your perspective.

Would you comment on the early literacy aspect of Montessori? DS loves his books. We create stories. He doesn't seem to care about the alphabet though. His peers do care. The program we are involved in is part-time. This fall the teacher will focus on literacy, so DS will not have the option to choose other work. Any thoughts on participating in a part-time program based on just the literacy aspect of Montessori?