My nephews all went through Montessori pre-K. But a big part of that was that my sister was at home with them, and wanted them to have a place to go and learn and socialize for a couple of hours, a couple times a week. I think the social benefits/education from the Montessori structure were huge for them. They really did learn how to communicate well with other children and adults, and are able to express themselves with confidence if they need to. I think that was the biggest benefit. (They can all read on grade level, do math, etc…) But I think the social/communication skills they learned were awesome.
It was a perfect situation for my sister’s family, but I agree with some of the other posters that it is probably best to maintain a specific structure and routine for your child. If you like her daycare program, and think they are addressing his/her needs adequately… I think that is perfectly fine. Unless this Montessori pre-K is doing something that you really like, I don’t see the benefit of jumping through hoops to make that happen.
All of my three kids have gone to a Montessori preschool, and all of them were reading by age 5, and I didn’t do a damn thing at home to assist this, other than read books to them and let them watch PBS kids’ programming.
To be fair, my kids might have been early readers with or without the Montessori school. I have no idea, as I have nothing to compare it with. But you don’t have anything to compare your goddaughter with, either. She might have learned just as well in a Montessori program or a regular preschool program or she might have learned with no program at all. Some kids just absorb reading from being read to. It happens. My point is, it makes as much sense for you to trash on Montessori because your goddaughter learned to read with flashcards as it would make sense for me to trash on flashcards because my kids learned via Montessori. (Or Sesame Street, or osmotically, or however they learned to read. I don’t really know.)
And being picky about your kid’s school isn’t “obsessing.” Cripes. They’re going to spend enough time there over the course of their childhood; why not make sure they’re going to a decent place?
OK, to address the OP more directly, I think that preschool in general is valuable for most kids, but I don’t think that any one type particularly is a “must” and I’m saying that as someone who’s used a Montessori preschool for my own kids. I like the Montessori philosophy and it works for us, but if you’re happy with your current pre-K I’d probably stay there.
The new generation? You mean, like all the generations since WWI? Somehow I get the feeling you didn’t pay much attention to your Googling if you missed that.
And since we’re getting all anecdotal, your flashcards are obviously crap because my mother taught me to read by explaining to me what learning letters had to do with reading.
Hello All,
I have been a Montessori Guide for 29 years. I am so happy to see so many parents interested in their childrens first school experience. I would specifically like to respond to Northern Piper and xoferew. Ms.Piper… such a decision as to which school best meets the needs of your child as well as your families needs. I would like to suggest to you that you check out any Montessori Schools “Montessori Credentials”. There are many copycats and “Montessori like”
Schools ( no copywrite on Montessori) . An authentic Montessori School will adhere to philosophy thru Guides with a Nationally recognized diploma in Montessori Education. This requires five years of education. Good Luck in your decision.
xoferew… I do understand your perception of The Childrens House as I am asked many time by visiting families, How do the children explore and create. After I show the child a particular material in a specific way, the child is then free to explore that material for as long as she/he likes, comparing, analysing,diversifying, and in the end, the concepts are internalized. The child can then continue to build on each newfound realization.
Hope this helps.
yes. I’m speaking from experience from the '60’s. they teach kids how to take care of themselves & think for themselves. it’s amazing how much a little kid is capable of
Since this thread’s been revived, I’d like to thank everyone for their comments. I didn’t re-post, but did read it all and followed various links.
In the end, we decided not to go with Montessori, and registered the Piper Cub in a parents’ co-op pre-K affiliated with a school in the neighbourhood, starting in the fall. The big attractions to us were:
the quick response we got from the school principal and the chair of the parents’ co-op - we decided that if they reacted so quickly to an expression of interest, that was a good sign;
the visit we paid to one of the classes - very warm and welcoming, the Cub had a good time, and the teacher was great;
it’s French immersion, which is important to us.
One of the reasons we started looking into it was that his day care provider recommended it, given the Cub’s level of language skills; she thought he needed more of a challenge than she could give him.
So, two mornings a week, starting in September.
Again, thanks for all the feedback - very helpful.