Montessori in the morning + play in the afternoon

[Anonymous]

I know play-based is supposed to be better, especially in terms of social development, but if DC is going to be doing nothing but play during the afternoons and weekends (at home, on the playground, one-on-one with caregiver or playdates or group classes), then sending to a Montessori preschool for weekday mornings would actually provide her a diverse experience, right? She would be using materials that she otherwise wouldn’t get access to at home. Or do you think play-based would still be better in that situation.

[Anonymous]

That's what we did and I don't regret it. Montessori preschool from 8:45-12:15, and during that time they had snack and significant outdoor time. The "work" time was of course free choice and I don't think felt different than "play" to my DC.

When DC was home with me the rest of the day it was all play!

[Anonymous]

PP, you are just trying to rationalize. Choose what you think will be best for your child and go with it.

[Anonymous]

Play-based doesn’t mean they just play. It just means they LEARN through play. So instead of writing letter with worksheets, they use playdough to form letters on laminated letter outlines, trace the letters in Salt, form the letters with their bodies while dancing. Instead of doing number worksheets, they count the blocks they build in a tower, they add 1+2 in the pretend “store”, and make patterns with beads. Check out the school before you decide if it’s academic enough for you, but play based preschool is not a free for all with no structure or learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Play-based doesn’t mean they just play. It just means they LEARN through play. So instead of writing letter with worksheets, they use playdough to form letters on laminated letter outlines, trace the letters in Salt, form the letters with their bodies while dancing. Instead of doing number worksheets, they count the blocks they build in a tower, they add 1+2 in the pretend “store”, and make patterns with beads. Check out the school before you decide if it’s academic enough for you, but play based preschool is not a free for all with no structure or learning.

Yep. Exactly. This is a big misconception.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Play-based doesn’t mean they just play. It just means they LEARN through play. So instead of writing letter with worksheets, they use playdough to form letters on laminated letter outlines, trace the letters in Salt, form the letters with their bodies while dancing. Instead of doing number worksheets, they count the blocks they build in a tower, they add 1+2 in the pretend “store”, and make patterns with beads. Check out the school before you decide if it’s academic enough for you, but play based preschool is not a free for all with no structure or learning.

Yeah, I get it. I said up front that play-based is probably better, and I don't care about academics. My point is that since DD plays all afternoon and weekend (and LEARNS through that play), would it be better to have a different type of experience for her morning preschool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Play-based doesn’t mean they just play. It just means they LEARN through play. So instead of writing letter with worksheets, they use playdough to form letters on laminated letter outlines, trace the letters in Salt, form the letters with their bodies while dancing. Instead of doing number worksheets, they count the blocks they build in a tower, they add 1+2 in the pretend “store”, and make patterns with beads. Check out the school before you decide if it’s academic enough for you, but play based preschool is not a free for all with no structure or learning.

Yeah, I get it. I said up front that play-based is probably better, and I don't care about academics. My point is that since DD plays all afternoon and weekend (and LEARNS through that play), would it be better to have a different type of experience for her morning preschool.

There's a difference between playing at home and going to a play-based preschool. Both are important, but you're not understanding the benefits for kids of being exposed to a play-based curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Play-based doesn’t mean they just play. It just means they LEARN through play. So instead of writing letter with worksheets, they use playdough to form letters on laminated letter outlines, trace the letters in Salt, form the letters with their bodies while dancing. Instead of doing number worksheets, they count the blocks they build in a tower, they add 1+2 in the pretend “store”, and make patterns with beads. Check out the school before you decide if it’s academic enough for you, but play based preschool is not a free for all with no structure or learning.

Yeah, I get it. I said up front that play-based is probably better, and I don't care about academics. My point is that since DD plays all afternoon and weekend (and LEARNS through that play), would it be better to have a different type of experience for her morning preschool.

There's a difference between playing at home and going to a play-based preschool. Both are important, but you're not understanding the benefits for kids of being exposed to a play-based curriculum.

Can you explain what the difference is, assuming an educated SAHM or nanny at home to guide the kids in play? It’s still stacking blocks and solving puzzles, playing dress-up or house, reading, painting, running around the playground. Those things are very valuable, but if the child is doing them every afternoon and weekend, then why not give them variety with different activities in the morning?