Comments on: Montessori Education: Behind the Method

By: Gigi

Gigi — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:18:35 +0000

My daughter attended a Montessori Toddler Program and a Montessori program from 3-6 years of age. It was the best environment possible for her. It true that she had freedom to choose the activities within the classroom but there is structure to the process. Respect to the materials and peers. She was able to transition to a “NORMAL” traditional school for for 1st grade and is currently in 3rd grade. NO ISSUES. The only thing that was adapted for her due to her Montessori background was that her teacher allowed her to write in script instead of print. Not all Montessori Programs are created equal. I would suggest researching them to make sure that they are TRUE MONTESSORI programs that follow Dr. Maria Montessori’s philosophies and guidelines. Not a watered down version and/or interpretation. Check out the AMI and AMS websites. Now my 2 year old son goes to the same Montessori Toddler School to provide him with the best foundation he can have that will assist in creating a love for learning, respect for the materials, his peers, and his community. Yes all this at 2 years of age.!!!

By: alicia

alicia — Fri, 15 May 2009 00:08:23 +0000

I want to add that my two older children attended Montessori in CT and my younger two attended Montessori of Greenwich Bay in East Greenwich. All schools are different as Montessori is a public domain but this small community is loving, caring and the teachers respect each child as a unique individual and helps them bring out their gifts. It is true to the authentic Montessori method.

By: alicia

alicia — Fri, 15 May 2009 00:04:30 +0000

I am sad to see an elementary school teacher so negative about Montessori. Montessori offers choice to a child. Preschoolers shouldn’t be asked to stay in a “center” area for 20 min. if they are getting nothing out of it and then asked to leave if they enjoy. Children are not empty vessels waiting to be filled by teachers who direct what the child is supposed to learn. The environment is filled with beautiful materials designed by a doctor who scientifically observed chidren and then developed her method. Follow the child not follow the teacher. Montessori education is a gift to a child.

By: kate

kate — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 03:49:06 +0000

Could it be that Montessouri students are like students from any other preschool? Some are lovely, some annoying? Some fit in, some don’t?

By: Beth

Beth — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 03:33:23 +0000

The very best students I taught were Montessori students-responsible, independent, leaders. They knew how to take a suggestion and build upon it, make decisions and develop plans. They were, without fail, the best students in the grade every year.

By: Holly Flood

Holly Flood — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 22:09:42 +0000

Karen, I’m sorry your experience with Montessori children hasn’t been positive but I feel obliged to offer a different perspective. Montessori is a developmental approach with loads of activities designed to improve gross and fine motor skills in three to six year olds. The language program is exemplary and typical children in Montessori schools write spontaneously at four and a half (though not without the requisite preliminary activities) and read at five and half. I think there is a common misperception that children in a Montessori class are allowed to do whatever they please but that couldn’t be further from reality. Montessori children have free choice within the “prepared environment” of the classroom but it is a freedom with limits (I’ve got too much to say on this one issue to continue here). Oh, and silliness, sincere love for the child, play, and yes, the occasional rumpus happen too.

By: Karen McCarthy

Karen McCarthy — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 16:11:03 +0000

As an elementary school teacher we always groan when a child comes to us form a Montessori environment. Not only are they not prepared for a learning environment. We had one little boy who had terrible fine motor skills. His mom asked his old Montessori school why they never worked on those readiness areas and they told her that he did not choose to! Sure they know a lot of information— like land forms…. but we call those “Montessori Tricks” designed to impress the observer but without any real substance to them. Young children need to be in a developmental preschool NOT an academic one. The irony is they learn more and are better prepared to think and explore when they are allowed to play, be silly, and have teh occassional rumpus.

By: Kristen

Kristen — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 22:08:51 +0000

My son attends Cornerstone Montessori School in North Kingstown. And while I’m sure a lot of his growth & development is completely age-appropriate (normal!), I have been thrilled with his progress this year. In addition to his increased interest in continents, letters & sounds, and sequencing…he has also learned to be more responsible & respect individual space. Of course, he still challenges me and acts like a 3-yr.old, but I’m really happy with our school choice. He enjoys learning from the older kids; the environment is calm & peaceful; and he is never made to do anything that doesn’t interest him.

By: Kate

Kate — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:51:00 +0000

what I learned from this post is that we all like to think we are doing what’s best for our children. Whether it’s Montessouri school, public school, Swiss boarding school…everyone is doing what they think is best. it can sometimes seem that people are self-congratulatory about whatever school they have chosen–but I think it’s just enthusiasm–like evangelism: you want to share the good news!

By: Shuchi

Shuchi — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:03:41 +0000

My son Neel is in his 3rd year at Ocean State and I am amazed at how he has transformed as an individual within these years. He has become more self independent, has logical interpretations to the common challenges and activities, approaches problems methodically, is compassionate towards others etc etc.
He also gets a lot of exposure about various cultures and being of an ethnic culture himself he doesn’t feel left out and is given the opportunity to express himself fully.