If your child struggled academically in K, would you think Montessori could help?

[Anonymous]

Struggling with standard procedures of identifying numbers and letters on a daily basis but seems to do better in a one on one setting. Personality seems to play a bit of a role as the screen is quite noisy with all the kids doing class at once and that drives my child mad.

In person Montessori (or even online for next year of classes remain online). How would you presume a child would do if they are at K level and struggling in some areas with letter and number recognition? Is having a child in traditional schooling a better option if they struggle academically? We are dealing with some social anxiety as well.

[Anonymous]

Usually student to teacher ratio in a montessori program is higher, so if your child does better in a one-one setting it probably isn't for you.

[Anonymous]

At this point, in person is superior to DL, no matter the philosophy.

In normal times, I think Montessori is predicated a bit too much at expecting all kids to react similarly to the same environment, when in fact there's a lot more variation in their behavior and learning styles.

[Anonymous]

I don't think Montessori is a good fit for kids who need 1-on-1 and don't handle chaos well, especially Montessori as done by DCPS or DCPCS, if I'm being honest.

Truthfully, if your kid is still having difficulty identifying letters and numbers by the end of K -- especially if the did any kind of PK program and/or you tried to support learning at home -- I'd get them evaluated to see if they have any learning challenges.

[Anonymous]

My kids started in Montessori and then moved to a more traditional school. Ironically they both had more one-on-one instruction in Montessori since teachers at all levels (I believe anyway) give the kids individual lessons on materials and subjects. That said, they are both learning more at traditional, even though they miss the one-on one time. OP, it depends on the school, but I think Montessori would be especially hard during DL.

[Anonymous]

Are you asking if you should stay in Montessori, or if you should switch to Montessori?

I would only do Montessori if you are comfortable with your child going at their own pace and own path, and maybe not reading very well until 2nd. If that gives you cold feet you should not do Montessori. Whatever school you go to, look into what extra support they can provide, of course.

[Anonymous]

I am a big proponent of Montessori, all three of my kids did the 3-6 program. A true Montessori school is definitely self-guided and, as with all schools, highly dependent on instructors as far as one on one instruction.

My sons thrived in Montessori and entered traditional school well about their peers academically in all areas except their handwriting which was/is abysmal. It was probably a disservice to our daughter (the middle child) to not enroll her in traditional school in kindergarten because she needs more structure and validation with everything she is doing.


I am interested about the PPs comment about reading though - my 3 (even the struggling daughter) read 3 levels above grade level at least according to the most recent MAP scores. From other parents who completed our school that generally seems to be the case - I thought that was a strength of Montessori since they teach everything phonetically? I could be completely wrong...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a big proponent of Montessori, all three of my kids did the 3-6 program. A true Montessori school is definitely self-guided and, as with all schools, highly dependent on instructors as far as one on one instruction.

My sons thrived in Montessori and entered traditional school well about their peers academically in all areas except their handwriting which was/is abysmal. It was probably a disservice to our daughter (the middle child) to not enroll her in traditional school in kindergarten because she needs more structure and validation with everything she is doing.


I am interested about the PPs comment about reading though - my 3 (even the struggling daughter) read 3 levels above grade level at least according to the most recent MAP scores. From other parents who completed our school that generally seems to be the case - I thought that was a strength of Montessori since they teach everything phonetically? I could be completely wrong...

Phonics does not work for all students with learning disabilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a big proponent of Montessori, all three of my kids did the 3-6 program. A true Montessori school is definitely self-guided and, as with all schools, highly dependent on instructors as far as one on one instruction.

My sons thrived in Montessori and entered traditional school well about their peers academically in all areas except their handwriting which was/is abysmal. It was probably a disservice to our daughter (the middle child) to not enroll her in traditional school in kindergarten because she needs more structure and validation with everything she is doing.


I am interested about the PPs comment about reading though - my 3 (even the struggling daughter) read 3 levels above grade level at least according to the most recent MAP scores. From other parents who completed our school that generally seems to be the case - I thought that was a strength of Montessori since they teach everything phonetically? I could be completely wrong...

Phonics does not work for all students with learning disabilities.

Actually it does. If you read the science of reading ALL students benefit from explicit daily phonics instruction. Lots of kids need different modalities of instruction but all will benefit from explicit phonics instruction.

[Anonymous]

Not if they have weak phonemic awareness.

Regular instruction - Montessori or not - isn’t going to be enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not if they have weak phonemic awareness.

Regular instruction - Montessori or not - isn’t going to be enough.

This is what I understand to be the case also. Montessori instruction thoroughly covers phonemic awareness and is phonics-based. But some children simply need far more repetitions of the instruction than the average, and it is just not possible for that quantity of repetition to be accomplished in a classroom shared with other children.

[Anonymous]

Is your child now in PK4?

I think yes to Montessori. As mentioned it’s all phonetics based. Also, one on one lessons are given then lots of independent time to move at their own pace.

You mention chaotic on screen. The Montessori classroom tends to be very calm, quiet, and not overstimulating as compared to other school types. I think this might help your child feel calmer and focus.

Find one where there are good special education supports as well. It may be not quite purist but all DC public schools do provide that including Montessori, but maybe some do it better.

[Anonymous]

OP, get your child evaluated ASAP. If DC diagnosed with anxiety or any other issues, then request DCPS issues an IEP with clear goals and accommodations.

I personally would NOT go to a charter, let alone a Montessori school. Charters are not required to provide the same level of accommodations DCPS can give you. Plus, Montessori is based on giving kids independence and autonomy which can be bewildering to anxious child looking for some clear, gentle structure. Just my 2 cents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, get your child evaluated ASAP. If DC diagnosed with anxiety or any other issues, then request DCPS issues an IEP with clear goals and accommodations.

I personally would NOT go to a charter, let alone a Montessori school. Charters are not required to provide the same level of accommodations DCPS can give you. Plus, Montessori is based on giving kids independence and autonomy which can be bewildering to anxious child looking for some clear, gentle structure. Just my 2 cents.

Charters are public schools. They are REQUIRED to follow IDEA just as public schools are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, get your child evaluated ASAP. If DC diagnosed with anxiety or any other issues, then request DCPS issues an IEP with clear goals and accommodations.

I personally would NOT go to a charter, let alone a Montessori school. Charters are not required to provide the same level of accommodations DCPS can give you. Plus, Montessori is based on giving kids independence and autonomy which can be bewildering to anxious child looking for some clear, gentle structure. Just my 2 cents.

Charters are public schools. They are REQUIRED to follow IDEA just as public schools are.

That's right. Each charter is its own LEA. OP, be sure to ask any schools you are considering about reading intervention staff and services which may be available to kids with or without IEP. Also see if you can get your child evaluated for speech. When a child says words wrong because that have trouble pronouncing certain sounds, then it can hard for a kid to make sense of the letters and sounds that make up certain words.