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[quote=Anonymous]My daughter has been in a Montessori program for two years now and it has worked well for her.  I would definitely describe her as active, but a quick learner and focused.  Montessori materials are meant to teach certain lessons or concepts so in general there is a "right" way to use the materials, but I would not describe this as rigid.  The children are able to select their own work and there is a very large selection.  A curious child would be thrilled.

Prior to our Montessori experience my child was in a play based program.  In this program there was circle time where the children would sing songs and incorporated in that would be a lesson.  The teacher might for instance review the numbers 1-10 in some fun way.

In Montessori there may be circle time.  During circle time the guide may provide a lesson to a group of children that are learning to count/sequence to 10.  This might be learned with wooden placards (10), one that displays each number.  The lesson might be to place the placards in the correct sequence 1-10.  This would be one way it is presented there would be others.  Montessori seems to works against the concept of rote memorization, hence the use of materials not letters or numbers on a board.

A Montessori classroom would allow your child to select lessons as it interests her, not according to a curriculum plan.  There is no plan as each child pursues her own interest at her own pace.  Balance is promoted by the guide only when required.  Your child will work with numerous materials throughout the day at her own pace and based on her interest and mastery of preceding concepts.  Your child could choose from a variety of work areas or may choose to paint or sort objects using a tool (working on the gross/fine motor skills required for writing), pour water or polish (build on concentration and focus), or work on some language based lesson.  Art and music is incorporated and not taught separately as a special.

Montessori does allow for socialization through group lessons and work.  In this way the older children "guide" the younger one's.  I am always amazed how confident and caring the older children are in my daughter's classroom.  They truly enjoy their elder status.

Other notable attributes of the Montessori program is the focus on independence and social grace.  Social graces are not taught in a rigid way, but allow for children to learn how to work and cooperate in a group setting.  This is a very important lesson given the size of not only Montessori classroom, but most DCPS environments.

It is good that you are seeking to determine which program would be right for your child before enrolling her; but there is no harm in trying one and making a switch if you find it is not a good fit.  Please do not underestimate the importance of the program being a good fit for you as a parent as well.  Some programs take more trust than other.  There will be no daily summary reports in a Montessori environment.

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