Montessori is more strict?

[Anonymous]

As we interview and tour preschools we are finding that the Montessori ones seem more strict in general and less fun than regular preschools. Of course this is likely not the case for all but I did find that the admin and classrooms just seem a bit less warm and fuzzy. Am I the only one here? I actually went to a Montessori school myself many years ago and remember being afraid of my teacher. I came out ahead in reading and math though. Again I know not all schools are going to be like this but I’m definitely noticing a theme here. Anyone else?

[Anonymous]

Montessori schools generally treat school like a place for serious work. Kids generally like to work (shocking, I know!) and find it nice to be taken seriously. They are expected to do productive things and be a part of the community. This is in contrast to traditional preschools where kids can play but often don’t have enough to do and get into petty squabbles and fights as a result. My spouse has taught in both Montessori and traditional preschool and vastly preferred Montessori and thought the kids were happier, too. It’s not about getting ahead academically, though that is often a happy result, but more about giving kids something to do with their powerful minds other than fight over who gets to destroy the lego creation.

My advice is to visit while class is in session. Teachers and students should be peacefully working and the rules are meant to give structure and boundaries so expectations are clear. It’s not a free for all, but that’s what all the time outside of school is for! School is for work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Montessori schools generally treat school like a place for serious work. Kids generally like to work (shocking, I know!) and find it nice to be taken seriously. They are expected to do productive things and be a part of the community. This is in contrast to traditional preschools where kids can play but often don’t have enough to do and get into petty squabbles and fights as a result. My spouse has taught in both Montessori and traditional preschool and vastly preferred Montessori and thought the kids were happier, too. It’s not about getting ahead academically, though that is often a happy result, but more about giving kids something to do with their powerful minds other than fight over who gets to destroy the lego creation.

My advice is to visit while class is in session. Teachers and students should be peacefully working and the rules are meant to give structure and boundaries so expectations are clear. It’s not a free for all, but that’s what all the time outside of school is for! School is for work.

School is for work? That’s a depressing concept for a young kid.

[Anonymous]

Yes, they aren’t warm and fuzzy but my kids have loved their Montessori experience.

[Anonymous]

This is OP and find it harsh to say that school is for work for a 3-4 year old. That’s ridiculous

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Montessori schools generally treat school like a place for serious work. Kids generally like to work (shocking, I know!) and find it nice to be taken seriously. They are expected to do productive things and be a part of the community. This is in contrast to traditional preschools where kids can play but often don’t have enough to do and get into petty squabbles and fights as a result. My spouse has taught in both Montessori and traditional preschool and vastly preferred Montessori and thought the kids were happier, too. It’s not about getting ahead academically, though that is often a happy result, but more about giving kids something to do with their powerful minds other than fight over who gets to destroy the lego creation.

My advice is to visit while class is in session. Teachers and students should be peacefully working and the rules are meant to give structure and boundaries so expectations are clear. It’s not a free for all, but that’s what all the time outside of school is for! School is for work.

School is for work? That’s a depressing concept for a young kid.

Yeah but in my kids’ school the work was, maybe, arranging flowers or stacking blocks or something. It was the same stuff you would do in regular preschool, just quieter. I think regular preschools divide class time into learning v individual play, and at Montessori those things are integrated.

This is obviously not a description of Montessori education, just an outsiders observation.

[Anonymous]

But kids LIKE to work! How many times have you had your kid “help” wash the dishes or sweep the floor, maybe shovel your walk? Talk with you about numbers or read books? They love to do this! Kids have hours and hours and day to play but Montessori believed that a few hours a day of work was good and makes kids happy. It made my kid happy and spouse saw happier more contented kids in that environment as well. Do you really want to goof around all the time? No, you like to work some and play some. Kids have these wonderful minds and they actually like to use them.

I do not believe in all day work for kids. I’m talking 2-3 hours a day for them to engage their minds.

[Anonymous]

Spouse says if you feel turned off to the word “work” for kids, think of Montessori as giving children “things to do.” The approach gives children things to do with their minds and bodies. You know how they give puzzle toys to apes in the zoo to keep them occupied? It’s kind of like that. It’s not like kids are staring at a computer screen and making spreadsheets, they are polishing a shoe or putting blocks in size order. That is a child’s “work.” It’s something to do other than mess around. Most kids like having things to do and get bored and restless when provided completely open ended play time every day, day after day. But listen, if that doesn’t work for your kid, then don’t use it. But it does work for what I believe to be the majority of children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But kids LIKE to work! How many times have you had your kid “help” wash the dishes or sweep the floor, maybe shovel your walk? Talk with you about numbers or read books? They love to do this! Kids have hours and hours and day to play but Montessori believed that a few hours a day of work was good and makes kids happy. It made my kid happy and spouse saw happier more contented kids in that environment as well. Do you really want to goof around all the time? No, you like to work some and play some. Kids have these wonderful minds and they actually like to use them.

I do not believe in all day work for kids. I’m talking 2-3 hours a day for them to engage their minds.

I don’t think you understand what a play-based curriculum is. It isn’t goofing around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Spouse says if you feel turned off to the word “work” for kids, think of Montessori as giving children “things to do.” The approach gives children things to do with their minds and bodies. You know how they give puzzle toys to apes in the zoo to keep them occupied? It’s kind of like that. It’s not like kids are staring at a computer screen and making spreadsheets, they are polishing a shoe or putting blocks in size order. That is a child’s “work.” It’s something to do other than mess around. Most kids like having things to do and get bored and restless when provided completely open ended play time every day, day after day. But listen, if that doesn’t work for your kid, then don’t use it. But it does work for what I believe to be the majority of children.

Once again — that’s not what play-based preschools do. What do you think kids are doing — running around aimlessly for the entire day?

[Anonymous]

The deal breaker for me is that pretend play is NOT allowed in Montessori. If your child picks up a string of beads and pretends they are a snake, they will be told that isn't allowed. Beads are for a specific purpose, perhaps counting or string but never for being snakes because that is not there intended purpose.

Blocks are just blocks to build and never a phone or walkie talkie or powerful crystal with powers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The deal breaker for me is that pretend play is NOT allowed in Montessori. If your child picks up a string of beads and pretends they are a snake, they will be told that isn't allowed. Beads are for a specific purpose, perhaps counting or string but never for being snakes because that is not there intended purpose.

Blocks are just blocks to build and never a phone or walkie talkie or powerful crystal with powers.

Yeah, my 4 year old would really not like that. She loves pretend play.

But to PP, I guess it’s just “goofing around.”

[Anonymous]

My child THRIVED in Montessori. It was 9-12 each day, and then he had after care which was more traditional play. Of the 3 hour block, 30 minutes was playing on the playground, 20 minutes was story time, and 15 minutes was morning circle—so less than 2 hours of “work”, which he adored.

By kindergarten he was reading, writing, multiplying and dividing, adding fractions, and knew all the countries in Europe and South America based on their outlines. More importantly though, he was confident. He had learned how to plan his time, how to work independently and with others, and how practice improves a skill.

If it’s not for you, there are tons of play based schools to go check out. But his Montessori was a joyful room with smiling kids who were proud of their accomplishments. It can be awesome for those who choose it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child THRIVED in Montessori. It was 9-12 each day, and then he had after care which was more traditional play. Of the 3 hour block, 30 minutes was playing on the playground, 20 minutes was story time, and 15 minutes was morning circle—so less than 2 hours of “work”, which he adored.

By kindergarten he was reading, writing, multiplying and dividing, adding fractions, and knew all the countries in Europe and South America based on their outlines. More importantly though, he was confident. He had learned how to plan his time, how to work independently and with others, and how practice improves a skill.

If it’s not for you, there are tons of play based schools to go check out. But his Montessori was a joyful room with smiling kids who were proud of their accomplishments. It can be awesome for those who choose it.

My kid is in a play based preschool and is learning all of that, but get this — she is allowed to engage in pretend play! I could never send her somewhere that doesn’t allow it.

She’s also proud of her accomplishments and understands she needs to practice. She’s confident. These statements you Montessori parents make are so weird.

[Anonymous]

My conclusion from hearing from Montessori parents is that they think “play based” means “kids run around all day playing and learn nothing.”