Comments on: Montessori http://nslog.com/2006/02/28/montessori The Weblog of Erik J. Barzeski Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:42:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: hadley http://nslog.com/2006/02/28/montessori#comment-42124 hadley Tue, 26 Jun 2007 10:43:50 +0000 http://nslog.com/2006/02/28/montessori/#comment-42124 I have 2 boys ages 3 and 7 in Montessori and I can not recommend it highly enough. I knew nothing about it before enrolling my oldest at 3. At first I thought it was a bit idyllic but the more I learned it became perfectly clear that the system is designed in the most ingenious way. I will say, that there are many different Montessori schools and you should make sure you find a good one. The best thing anyone could do is to sit in on a class. It is an amazing experience to see children working together and engaged in learning, the way you would think it should be in school. My 7 year old is learning about the Universe, dark matter, evolution, division etc. Montessori goes all the way up though high school if you are able to find one near you. If you are curious, you owe it to your children to look into it. I have 2 boys ages 3 and 7 in Montessori and I can not recommend it highly enough. I knew nothing about it before enrolling my oldest at 3. At first I thought it was a bit idyllic but the more I learned it became perfectly clear that the system is designed in the most ingenious way. I will say, that there are many different Montessori schools and you should make sure you find a good one. The best thing anyone could do is to sit in on a class. It is an amazing experience to see children working together and engaged in learning, the way you would think it should be in school. My 7 year old is learning about the Universe, dark matter, evolution, division etc. Montessori goes all the way up though high school if you are able to find one near you. If you are curious, you owe it to your children to look into it.

]]> By: J http://nslog.com/2006/02/28/montessori#comment-42063 J Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:59:46 +0000 http://nslog.com/2006/02/28/montessori/#comment-42063 Hello, Just came across this blog looking for some information on the Montessori educational approach. My wife is insistent upon taking our 5 year old daughter to a Montessori school on the south east side of town. While I am being a good husband (doing research about Montessori and trying to be supportive) I still have my doubts. As a college graduate and son of two teachers, I believe that the skills I was taught in kindergarten in a traditional approach carried me much further throughout my academic career than if I would have been able to be "self taught", etc. Granted, I did go to a Christian school for 3 years of my childhood. Also, with my daughters personality, I know she would have trouble adjusting to a normal class setting after participating in a school where discipline and consequences may not be strictly adhered to. Hey, hooked on phonix worked for me! Is too much choice at that early age a bad thing?? I think it would prove detrimental to kids at this stage in their academic career. I know from experience that kids usually crave structure in some form or fashion. It provides stability to them when they come to class and know what's expected of them, rather than wonder from station to station...or "jobs" as Montessori calls it. Anyone? -J Hello,
Just came across this blog looking for some information on the Montessori educational approach. My wife is insistent upon taking our 5 year old daughter to a Montessori school on the south east side of town. While I am being a good husband (doing research about Montessori and trying to be supportive) I still have my doubts. As a college graduate and son of two teachers, I believe that the skills I was taught in kindergarten in a traditional approach carried me much further throughout my academic career than if I would have been able to be "self taught", etc. Granted, I did go to a Christian school for 3 years of my childhood. Also, with my daughters personality, I know she would have trouble adjusting to a normal class setting after participating in a school where discipline and consequences may not be strictly adhered to. Hey, hooked on phonix worked for me! Is too much choice at that early age a bad thing?? I think it would prove detrimental to kids at this stage in their academic career. I know from experience that kids usually crave structure in some form or fashion. It provides stability to them when they come to class and know what's expected of them, rather than wonder from station to station...or "jobs" as Montessori calls it. Anyone?
-J

]]> By: Carey http://nslog.com/2006/02/28/montessori#comment-41152 Carey Sun, 15 Apr 2007 13:39:32 +0000 http://nslog.com/2006/02/28/montessori/#comment-41152 Viviane, It probably depends on the school. I read some online parent concerns on the lack of creativity when we were making our schooling decision. However, our kiddo comes home on an almost daily basis with some very creative pieces. A few weeks ago, she made a leprechaun that contained almost no green. She paints princesses with purple faces and yellow feet! I'd discuss these concerns with the school(s) that you are considering. Best wishes! Viviane,

It probably depends on the school. I read some online parent concerns on the lack of creativity when we were making our schooling decision. However, our kiddo comes home on an almost daily basis with some very creative pieces. A few weeks ago, she made a leprechaun that contained almost no green. She paints princesses with purple faces and yellow feet! I'd discuss these concerns with the school(s) that you are considering. Best wishes!

]]> By: Viviane http://nslog.com/2006/02/28/montessori#comment-41141 Viviane Sat, 14 Apr 2007 15:50:20 +0000 http://nslog.com/2006/02/28/montessori/#comment-41141 I am also planning on puting my 3 years old on a Montessori School. However, I have read a lot about how retricted they are and that a child is not allowed to change things to fit their creativity, for example, if coloring a tree, they have to color it green and not pink or purple. How do you see this? Thanks, Vi I am also planning on puting my 3 years old on a Montessori School. However, I have read a lot about how retricted they are and that a child is not allowed to change things to fit their creativity, for example, if coloring a tree, they have to color it green and not pink or purple. How do you see this? Thanks, Vi

]]> By: GEO THOMAS http://nslog.com/2006/02/28/montessori#comment-18412 GEO THOMAS Mon, 03 Apr 2006 11:19:52 +0000 http://nslog.com/2006/02/28/montessori/#comment-18412 CERDS(Centre for Educational Research and Developmental Studies) offers Montessori Teacher Training using Montessori tools,methods and principles. CERDS(Centre for Educational Research and Developmental Studies) offers Montessori Teacher Training using Montessori tools,methods and principles.

]]> By: plez... http://nslog.com/2006/02/28/montessori#comment-18411 plez... Sat, 11 Mar 2006 23:43:30 +0000 http://nslog.com/2006/02/28/montessori/#comment-18411 My daughter is in the middle of her second year at a Montessori school. I how she has learned independent thinking, excellent social skills, and the ability to learn at her own pace. She is taking to math, reading, and writing with a vengence. And just recently brought home her first book to read from school (she is only 4 years old). More than anything, I believe the learning of key social skills and knowing that she has the independence to make choices, but choices also carry consequences is something that will serve her well as she continues to mature. I highly recommend the curriculum and plan to keep her in the Montessori system until she is in middle school. I also like that fact that by its very nature, the Montessori school ensures that you will be interacting with other parents with a keen focus on the educational development of their children. Parental involvement in the education of children is also key. My daughter is in the middle of her second year at a Montessori school. I how she has learned independent thinking, excellent social skills, and the ability to learn at her own pace. She is taking to math, reading, and writing with a vengence. And just recently brought home her first book to read from school (she is only 4 years old).

More than anything, I believe the learning of key social skills and knowing that she has the independence to make choices, but choices also carry consequences is something that will serve her well as she continues to mature. I highly recommend the curriculum and plan to keep her in the Montessori system until she is in middle school.

I also like that fact that by its very nature, the Montessori school ensures that you will be interacting with other parents with a keen focus on the educational development of their children. Parental involvement in the education of children is also key.

]]> By: Matt http://nslog.com/2006/02/28/montessori#comment-18410 Matt Sun, 05 Mar 2006 08:34:36 +0000 http://nslog.com/2006/02/28/montessori/#comment-18410 I went to Montessori for preschool. The later years may be self directed and unique in teaching style but preschool was severe and hellish. I dropped out and resumed schooling once kindergarten rolled around (and a public school) and am probably better for it. Needless to say, I'm not a fan ;-) I went to Montessori for preschool. The later years may be self directed and unique in teaching style but preschool was severe and hellish. I dropped out and resumed schooling once kindergarten rolled around (and a public school) and am probably better for it.

Needless to say, I'm not a fan ;-)

]]> By: David http://nslog.com/2006/02/28/montessori#comment-18409 David Fri, 03 Mar 2006 08:28:35 +0000 http://nslog.com/2006/02/28/montessori/#comment-18409 When you send her to Montessori it will be great for her, but it will also be good for you two as parents. You have to realize that you will be getting to know other like-minded parents who are willing to make financial sacrifices to better their children. These people will all have little things to contribute to your parenting that will help you be a better and better parent. This will also better connect you to the community as a whole (Though I guess Carey already gets a good share of that by being a teacher,) but more importantly to the smaller community of parents who are doing what they can to give the best to their children. When you send her to Montessori it will be great for her, but it will also be good for you two as parents. You have to realize that you will be getting to know other like-minded parents who are willing to make financial sacrifices to better their children. These people will all have little things to contribute to your parenting that will help you be a better and better parent. This will also better connect you to the community as a whole (Though I guess Carey already gets a good share of that by being a teacher,) but more importantly to the smaller community of parents who are doing what they can to give the best to their children.

]]> By: David http://nslog.com/2006/02/28/montessori#comment-18408 David Fri, 03 Mar 2006 08:20:35 +0000 http://nslog.com/2006/02/28/montessori/#comment-18408 I went to a Montessori school too. I loved it. I recommend it to all who listen whenever it comes up in conversation. My experience was just as you described. I still remember quite a bit of the program as strange as that is. I remember doing long division, and knowing 4th and 5th grade level math before I stepped foot in an Elementary school. At that time my mother was the Chairman of the Lee County (FL) school board so when I got into public school I was able to leave my class and go and do math with kids in grades much higher than mine. That was a lot of fun for me too. I got to be friends with more people by doing that. Montessori didn't seem to help as dramatically in the language skills for me. Through self-directed learning I went crazy on math, but was never interested in spelling, grammar, and other things. That eventually worked itself out and I studied linguistics in college, but I still feel that it is worth mentioning. I remember Elementary school being very easy in all ways except english... until I learned to spell by memorizing the number of letters in each word. It makes no sense, but it worked well. I went to a Montessori school too. I loved it. I recommend it to all who listen whenever it comes up in conversation. My experience was just as you described. I still remember quite a bit of the program as strange as that is.

I remember doing long division, and knowing 4th and 5th grade level math before I stepped foot in an Elementary school. At that time my mother was the Chairman of the Lee County (FL) school board so when I got into public school I was able to leave my class and go and do math with kids in grades much higher than mine. That was a lot of fun for me too. I got to be friends with more people by doing that.

Montessori didn't seem to help as dramatically in the language skills for me. Through self-directed learning I went crazy on math, but was never interested in spelling, grammar, and other things. That eventually worked itself out and I studied linguistics in college, but I still feel that it is worth mentioning. I remember Elementary school being very easy in all ways except english... until I learned to spell by memorizing the number of letters in each word. It makes no sense, but it worked well.

]]> By: Corey Porter http://nslog.com/2006/02/28/montessori#comment-18407 Corey Porter Wed, 01 Mar 2006 23:58:41 +0000 http://nslog.com/2006/02/28/montessori/#comment-18407 My son went to a Montessori school for a year of pre-school and switched to the more traditional public school for elementary. He didn't seem to have that much difficulty adjusting between the two of them, but then the elementary school that he goes to is pretty good and does a good job of letting smart kids move at their own pace while maintaining some semblance of order. Either way, do make sure you set aside time to volunteer in your child's classroom. There's no better way to keep up on what's going on in the school and where your child might be getting either behind or ahead of the class. (Both are situations that can be mitigated at home.) Also, it encourages open communication with the teacher, which couldn't help but be a good thing. My son went to a Montessori school for a year of pre-school and switched to the more traditional public school for elementary. He didn't seem to have that much difficulty adjusting between the two of them, but then the elementary school that he goes to is pretty good and does a good job of letting smart kids move at their own pace while maintaining some semblance of order.

Either way, do make sure you set aside time to volunteer in your child's classroom. There's no better way to keep up on what's going on in the school and where your child might be getting either behind or ahead of the class. (Both are situations that can be mitigated at home.) Also, it encourages open communication with the teacher, which couldn't help but be a good thing.

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