Montessori schools

blunomore

blunomore

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Anyone sent their kids there ? Are they good ? What sets them apart from any other preschool ?

Thanks :)
 
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No but a past gf was a montessori teacher. I think they do things a bit differently to other preschools, don't ask me what :D
 
That largely depends on your viewpoint regarding constructivism and 'self learning'.

Personally, I believe educational institutions should develop to encompass new and diverse techniques, with a focus on the psychological and physiological development of the child. As such, I'm adverse to the idea of mixed age learning environments. I prefer the strata associated with early childhood, adolesence etc.

Of course, there are many other people in educational development backgrounds who'll disagree vociferously. :D that's why the institution still exists.

So ultimately, you'll need to ask yourself if you agree with the 100 year old theory or not, then read the reports of qualified researchers in the field.

This is all assumming you want an informed opinion, not just someone to validate your decision. If your reaction is, that's too much effort, I'm not a person you should pay any attention to ;)
 
Hey ... you're thinking of schools already? Wow, that's being really proactive.

Montessori is basically a different teaching method that allows each child to develop at their own pace. The child do the activities which are based on their capability, whereas in the normal preschool they all do the same activity.

It's considered better, especially for the faster learners as their development is not impeded by the class. The slower learners don't feel as though they are falling behind. The method requires more one-on-one time, and you can therefore have multiple grades in one class, e.g. Grade RR and Grade R can be combined.

Also, the normal preschool is outcomes based, e.g. you must know how to count to 20 or know the alphabet, whereas Montessori is more growth oriented allowing the child to develop their own way of understanding how to count to 20 or how to remember the alphabet.
 
Google Founders received Montessori education
 
JayN said:
H
Also, the normal preschool is outcomes based, e.g. you must know how to count to 20 or know the alphabet, whereas Montessori is more growth oriented allowing the child to develop their own way of understanding how to count to 20 or how to remember the alphabet.
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And if the child doesn't develop their own way of understanding how to count to 20, hey they can always get a comment on their report on how well they followed butterflies around the playground. :)
I'm all for learning how to do things for yourself, but at some point you must be able to prove that you can actually do it
 
Today:
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20 years from today:
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I think I went to one when I lived in Cape Town ages ago, will have to ask my mom.
 
Blu, I briefly looked at it for my daughter a while back. I don't have first-hand experience, but did speak to a few people who knew "montessori children". What I took from it was that it can be somewhat restricted and rigid, with a big focus on discipline and rules. I'm all for the latter, but only to a certain extent and in a certain manner.

A friend of mine described his experience of "montessori children" vs normal school children - the former seemed almost robotic, for instance coming to their house and standing on the doormat, waiting to be told that they may come in, playing without any messing at all etc etc etc (we're talking small kids here).

Montessori schools differ, and my take may admittedly not necessarily be a true reflection of how Montessori schools operate in general, but for me it just had a whiff of "cult" or at least overly controlled - and it was enough to put me off.
 
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SiriS said:
Blu, I briefly looked at it for my daughter a while back. I don't have first-hand experience, but did speak to a few people who knew "montessori children". What I took from it was that it can be somewhat restricted and rigid, with a big focus on discipline and rules. I'm all for the latter, but only to a certain extent and in a certain manner.

A friend of mine described his experience of "montessori children" vs normal school children - the former seemed almost robotic, for instance coming to their house and standing on the doormat, waiting to be told that they may come in, playing without any messing at all etc etc etc (we're talking small kids here).

Schools differ, and my take may admittedly not necessarily be a true reflection of how Montessori schools operate in general, but for me it just had a whiff of "cult" or overly controlled and it was enough to put me off.
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Both my kids went to Montessori pre-primary schools and would have continued if we had not moved to another city.

The "playing without messing" is a routine that is established that they have to pack away what they have used in class.

There is no whiff of cult about it. At all.
 
MickeyD said:
Both my kids went to Montessori pre-primary schools and would have continued if we had not moved to another city.

The "playing without messing" is a routine that is established that they have to pack away what they have used in class.

There is no whiff of cult about it. At all.
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I admit that it was a subjective conclusion, based on second-hand information, and I could be completely wrong. As I said, schools also differ. If you google it you will see there are wide ranging opinions on the subject.
 
SiriS said:
I admit that it was a subjective conclusion, based on second-hand information, and I could be completely wrong. As I said, schools also differ. If you google it you will see there are wide ranging opinions on the subject.
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I had 4 years of first hand experience. It's where I had to learn that my experience of being bliksemmed at school is not the only way to keep a child interested in education. As a parent you will be very involved with your child's education and this does not mean doing all the homework yourself!
 
MickeyD said:
@Blu: do you want your kid(s) to attend Montessori Schools all the way to Matric?
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No, we live close to Crawford School, so my husband would like her to attend Crawford pre-primary, primary and secondary.

I was considering nursery schools and I heard about Montessori, so I thought I would investigate.

SiriS said:
Blu, I briefly looked at it for my daughter a while back. I don't have first-hand experience, but did speak to a few people who knew "montessori children". What I took from it was that it can be somewhat restricted and rigid, with a big focus on discipline and rules. I'm all for the latter, but only to a certain extent and in a certain manner.

A friend of mine described his experience of "montessori children" vs normal school children - the former seemed almost robotic, for instance coming to their house and standing on the doormat, waiting to be told that they may come in, playing without any messing at all etc etc etc (we're talking small kids here).

Montessori schools differ, and my take may admittedly not necessarily be a true reflection of how Montessori schools operate in general, but for me it just had a whiff of "cult" or at least overly controlled - and it was enough to put me off.
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Thanks for the info! Does not sound too good.
 
blunomore said:
No, we live close to Crawford School, so my husband would like her to attend Crawford pre-primary, primary and secondary.

I was considering nursery schools and I heard about Montessori, so I thought I would investigate.

Thanks for the info! Does not sound too good.
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Au contraire, if we had not moved my kids would have received their entire schooling at a Montessori School. Teaching kids manners, discipline and good habits without resorting to punishment is preferable to most other schooling methods in SA today.
 
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