Montessori at 4 (almost 5)

[Anonymous]

Hi! We're considering transitioning our kid to a Montessori program for the 2020-2021 academic year. She's four now, will turn five in November, which I believe means she's missed the first year of the three-year Montessori cycle. My understanding is that the typical Montessori practice is that the youngest kids are the learners and the older kids help the youngest kids, and I'm trying to figure out of my daughter missing the first/youngest year is going to be an issue or not.

Has anyone had an experience transitioning their kid to Montessori mid-cycle?

If it helps, she's at a center now that we're growing increasingly frustrated with, but it's not a Montessori.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi! We're considering transitioning our kid to a Montessori program for the 2020-2021 academic year. She's four now, will turn five in November, which I believe means she's missed the first year of the three-year Montessori cycle. My understanding is that the typical Montessori practice is that the youngest kids are the learners and the older kids help the youngest kids, and I'm trying to figure out of my daughter missing the first/youngest year is going to be an issue or not.

Has anyone had an experience transitioning their kid to Montessori mid-cycle?

If it helps, she's at a center now that we're growing increasingly frustrated with, but it's not a Montessori.

Can we ask where she is now and why you are frustrated?

[Anonymous]

It's going to depend on the school, of course, but in general she'll probably have a bit of an adjustment period, but then she'll be fine. A lot of the lessons build on one another and use the same material, just in different ways. One of the huge benefits of Montessori is how individualized it is, so the teacher will be able to tailor your daughter's lessons to make sure she learns the foundations that she'll need in the future, but skip the skills she already has. (ie, she'll need to learn how to use the movable alphabet, but may not need to spend the length of time the little kids do using it to learn letter sounds, assuming she already knows them.)

I am a big fan of the three year cycle, and she'll definitely miss out on some of the leadership/learning skills benefits, but I don't think it will be a big deal at all. (I do think that it's important to have at least two years in a Montessori classroom, though... being a leader the last year is such a big part of it, and if you don't know how the classroom works, you can't be a leader.)

All that said, many Montessori schools will only accept her at this age if you're committed to staying at least for Kindergarten, and preferably beyond (if they have an elementary program) They certainly won't want her just for the one year of pre-K.

[Anonymous]

At our Montessori, it is very common for kids to start in the second year of the cycle. Not an issue at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At our Montessori, it is very common for kids to start in the second year of the cycle. Not an issue at all.

At our Montessori, students can start in the second year of the cycle, not the third. They've just missed too much since the curriculum builds on itself.

[Anonymous]

Can she do things like cursive already? And does she know basic geography? And does she have good number sense?

Montessori is way stronger in terms of academics than regular early elementary schools or preschools.

[Anonymous]

My son's Montessori school accepts kids in year 2 on a case by case basis, but you must commit to year 3 (they charge a hefty deposit to make it worth your while to stay). Generally most who start in year 2 have prior Montessori experience from another state or school.

It's worth reaching out though, if you are willing to commit to kindergarten there!

[Anonymous]

Montessori usually starts at 3yo and the cycle goes through kindergarten at 5yo. They take children at 4yo, but only if they will stay through kindergarten and they don't take a 5yo.

The Montessori curriculum builds on concepts learned in previous years. A 5yo who is just starting would behind their peers. If you are going to move, move now while they are at least 4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi! We're considering transitioning our kid to a Montessori program for the 2020-2021 academic year. She's four now, will turn five in November, which I believe means she's missed the first year of the three-year Montessori cycle. My understanding is that the typical Montessori practice is that the youngest kids are the learners and the older kids help the youngest kids, and I'm trying to figure out of my daughter missing the first/youngest year is going to be an issue or not.

Has anyone had an experience transitioning their kid to Montessori mid-cycle?

If it helps, she's at a center now that we're growing increasingly frustrated with, but it's not a Montessori.

It’s worth it to give it a shot. Many schools will take students mid-cycle with no issue. It really depends on how much space they have available as some schools have been known to even take new “third years” if they need the numbers. I would not worry to much as the school will pretty much tell you what to expect
In the initial interview/tour. Don’t worry about needing to know cursive or being familiar with the materials, that is not prerequisite to entry and they will learn and be introduced to everything at their own pace. I would definitely try it out and see if it’s good fit for your family. Also, make sure the school
Is affiliated with one of the two major organizations - AMI or AMS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At our Montessori, it is very common for kids to start in the second year of the cycle. Not an issue at all.

Plus 1
— teacher