Reply to Is Montessori really "for every child?"

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[quote=Anonymous]There are definitely a lot of variations in Montessori schools.  We've been at 2, and visited a lot of others, so here are some differences that I've observed:
1) How closely do they adhere to the 2 hour work cycle rule?  One school adhered rigidly, which meant there was no morning recess/gym/library, etc.  Another school did not -- they had a 1 1/2 work cycle, but broke it on days they did music, gym, etc.  I liked the latter better, but it may have cost them a certification which some parents think is the gold standard.
2) How rigidly do they adhere to the 19th century rules?  Some Montessori schools require cursive writing by 1st grade, no technology at all, etc.   Others are little more modern.
3) What's the art/creative program like?  One Montessori only had "the metal inset" (tracing) plus copies of 19th century impressionists posted around the room.  Another had a daily art project that the children could choose to do which was related to the themes being discussed at circle time, plus a painting easel that the children could chose as their "work."  
4) What's the approach to collaboration?  In theory, Montessori schools should encourage small group collaboration.  One of the basic tenets is that children help each other -- a child stronger in one skill will help the other, or show them how to do certain "work".  But in many Montessori schools, the kids mostly work independently.
In the end, we found--and the teachers found -- it was not a good fit for my child, who is extremely extroverted. He'll work very nicely independently at home, but where there are other kids, he wants to be in the middle of whatever the most exciting thing is, so he was constantly buzzing around the classroom getting into other kids' work.   Also, he had very bad fine motor, and so the [precision required for Montessori work was really challenging for him, in a way that I think was discouraging rather than encouraging.[/quote]

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