How do kids do academically after Montessori school?

Montessori supporters claim that kids who attend Montessori schools are advanced academically compared to other schools however I've talked with a few parents and read some reviews which report that some parents have found their kids to be behind when transferring to other schools or taking standardized tests. I'm guessing this is greatly influenced by the individual child and the specific Montessori program/school, but can anyone who has had Montessori experience (K and above) share thoughts about this? Montessori philosophy has many qualities that appeal to me and I am really less concerned with being ''advanced'' academically but would not want to set my child up to get behind. Thank you

We don't have family here and I only can compare my kids to what else is going on with his school, so I rely heavily on the guidance of the teachers and their feedback to help me help my kids to grow and be prepared. Thank you Lisa

18 month old too young for Montessori?

I have been looking at various Montessori preschool programs in the East Bay and am planning to put my son on the waitlist for AIM in Berkeley. I know that children can start in the infant community at AIM as young as 18 months, and was wondering if anyone else has experience starting their child either at AIM or in any other Montessori program at such a young age. Could that be too early an age to start start him in Montessori? I've also heard that Montessori works best when you also implement some Montessori style elements at home. I have done a little bit of reading, but I don't have any personal experience with Montessori. Are there some things I can start doing at home now? Montessori curious

Fast forward to this year, my daughter started at AIM in Jan when she turned two. I cannot say enough good things about the IC teachers at AIM. They are loving, patient, experienced and work hard with each individual child to help them learn good practical life habits. The office staff communicates well with parents to keep them informed about their kids, as well as what's going on at school.

To prepare your child for a Montessori school, the key thing is to let him be as independent as he can be at his age. Show him how to put on his shoes and pants. Let him feed himself instead of feeding him. Then once he starts school, you can observe the work materials he has in the classroom and have similar things at home. See you at AIM! Mom with two Montessori kids

1. Putting one ''job'' such as a puzzle, blocks, a doll and its accessories, into one container, that is, one activity per container. Then, she could play with any activity, but had to put it away *by herself* before taking out another one. This worked totally great, she is now 12 years old and has never had a messy room.

2. You don't always have to share, but you must be respectful in asking or declining to share and you must keep in mind while you are playing that someone is waiting for a turn.

3. Start letting her get dressed, brush, hair, button buttons, zip zippers, tie shoes as soon as they express interest. If it is not perfect, no problem, don't do lifeskills for the child as soon as they are close enough to doing it themselves.

I've heard that different Montessori schools have different interpretations of the philosophy, but these above were the main things I remember that the school did that we also did at home. good luck

We chose AIM for our family after visiting many Montessori schools in the area, and I am choosy, as I work for a group of Montessori schools in Orange County. At the OC schools, we offer Montessori programs starting as young as 3 months, and it's amazing what a difference a high-quality, educational program can make even for children this young. So I'd say, go for it (but make sure you get on the waitlist right away - a friend of mine was interested in AIM, but didn't waitlist immediately, and her child didn't get in as the school was full...)

On your questions for doing Montessori things at home, I'd suggest a couple of resources you might find helpful:
- How We Montessori blog. Very helpful blog/newsletter, esp. for doing Montessori in the home. The author applies Montessori at home, while her children attend a Montessori school, so it's more practical than most. Her youngest is a toddler, and the older one is four, so the activities she writes about should be perfect for you:http://www.howwemontessori.com/how-we-montessori/
- Montessori Madness, by Trevor Eissler. More a primer on Montessori in general than a hands-on at home guide, but getting the principles will help you achieve consistency.
- The Facebook page of the school I work at, LePort Schools. I post links to interesting educational topic there daily, with lots of links to cool Montessori stuff from around the web: www.Facebook.com/LePortSchools
- The resources sections of the LePort Schools web site, with links to helpful books & articles about Montessori:http://www.leportschools.com/infants/resources/ specifically for infants/toddlers, and http://www.leportschools.com/media-events/resources-links/ for general Montessori info.

FInally, I'd suggest bringing any of your questions straight to the AIM staff. They are so passionate about Montessori, and always willing to answer questions. Plus, once you join the school, you'll get lots of information at the regular parent education events, held about every 6 weeks throughout the school year. Heike - Montessori Mom

Early on, AIM provided specific suggestions on how to Montessori-ize our house, and we did. We went to Cost Plus World Market and bought a bunch of cocktail utensils and small juice glasses for meals. We got small furniture from IKEA, including a table and chairs and a toy shelf, which we use to rotate out toys. We favor Melissa & Doug wooden toys and puzzles which can be put away in an orderly manner. We do not keep toys in the children's bedroom, which we think is why they go to sleep so easily. The children's beds are layered with sheets and absorbent pads which make middle-of-the-night sheet changes easy (you rip off the top sheet and pad and a dry layer is waiting underneath). We were given a toy cleaning set that includes a small broom and mop. Through clothing swaps/sales at AIM and other places, so we were able to build up a small collection of cotton training pants. Our bathrooms mimic the potty setup at AIM, including the trash cans, the hampers, and the Baby Bjorn potties. We have individual toddler-sized cubbies in the hallway for hanging jackets, hats, and putting away bags and shoes. It was a small investment, but completely worth it. The children respond well to the familiar objects and routine. AIM Parents

Montessori for active, high energy boy?

We're looking into montessori schools in and around Berkeley. We recently toured a montessori school and were impressed by how self-directed and cooperative the students seemed. We also noticed that there were many more girls than boys at the school.

We have a 3 year old boy who is currently in a play-based preschool. His current teachers consider him high energy, bright and social. He likes being outdoors, moving around, and dramatic play. Recently, he's been getting really into ''boy'' play - superheroes vs. villians and the idea of bad guys/good guys.

We're wondering how he might fit into a montessori environment. Would a high energy boy thrive? Might it be too stifling? Or would the structure be helpful? What other factors should we be considering?

We're particularly interested in hearing from parents of high energy boys who have had good and bad experiences at montessori.

We'd also love to hear recommendations for other preschools for this type of boy. Thanks in advance. anon

We hired a specialist to evaluate him (discretely) in the classroom to suggest what type of environment would be best for him, and I was told a small, play-based environment, where dramatic play and outdoor time was paramount. This ended up being spot on, and although we did get a diagnosis for some sensory integration issues and ADHD 3 years later, it was the right thing for us to move him. I'm happy to talk with you further if you have specific questions.

Montessori vs Public Elementary Schools

I am excited about the new Urban Montessori Charter School opening in Oakland. I've read through a lot of the materials but still have some questions. I researched the Montessori method when looking for a preschool, but decided that a play-based/Reggio Emilia school was better for my child. So I'm familiar with the pros and cons of Montessori in comparison to other types of preschools, but I can't find much information about the pros and cons of Montessori on the elementary level, as compared to traditional public schools.

I have other, more specific curriculum questions that I will ask at the information sessions, and I know that a lot varies school to school. I'm just looking for some anecdotes from adults who attended Montessori elementary schools or send their children there to get a general idea of how it compares to public education. Were you happy? Did you learn? Was it an overall good experience? How did you adjust to mainstream education? Would you recommend it? Thank you! Considering UMCS

My nieces both attended Montessori elementary school and now the older one is at a Montessori high school (in Canada). They have both done extremely well in this environment and in fact the older one has just skipped a grade in high school. They are very different personalities, so I think it speaks well to their school that they have both flourished there. The older one is much more outgoing as a person and I don't think Montessori school has made her shyer. The younger one is shyer by nature and school has not changed this in one direction or another.

As for a child not learning to read until they're nine and self-directed learners falling behind and this putting them at a disadvantage, this is a misconception that the public at large really needs to learn about. My god-daugher was entirely self-directed as a learner until she went to high school. She and many like her who were home schooled in the ''unschooling'' approach didn't learn to read until she was ten and then she taught herself to read. Within a couple of years she was reading college level material. To this day she is an avid reader who devours books.

This kind of education maintains a child's intrinsic motivation for learning and it fosters a deep sense of responsibility within the child. When my god-daughter started high school there were certain areas that she needed to catch up academically. She did it all with grace (and learned those things in far shorter time than kids typically slog through them in school). She was a straight A student and her mom never once asked her to do her homework because it was her choice to be in school! Albeit she was pretty bored at school, but she wanted to try it out. What this kind of education teaches you is how to go after what you want and how to be a learner (so the academic stuff doesn't take long once you want to learn it) rather than someone who simply does what they're told. It takes a certain kind of commitment and faith in your child's natural drive to learn (just think of how much they've learned since being born...how to talk, how to walk, jump, run, somersault...if we sent them to school for these things it would really screw that process up!)

If you want to know more about this I suggest reading books by the late great educator John Holt and by two time New York State teacher of the year John Taylor Gatto who wrote Dumbing us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling. Elanne

Also, my kids went to a Montessori preschool and while I loved their school, it wasn't the Montessori aspect that I loved--it was the quality of teaching. To me, that's most important. You can have good teachers in traditional public schools and bad ones in Montessori, and of course, the opposite is true as well. anon

In my observation, Montessori kids sometimes go into elementary school with a huge advantage because their preschool experience is academic, but by third grade or so that advantage is often spent, and public school kids are actually working for higher level. My second child would probably have had a great experience in Montessori for elementary but I just couldn't deal with the stress it creates on the parent to notice whether the teacher is covering the appropriate grade-level curriculum. anon

Most of us go through public schools. And I think if you think back to your own schooling, you'll remember a class full of shy kids, outgoing kids, and kids in between. I don't think Montessori children as a whole are shyer than public school kids.

From my reading, ages 7+ (elementary school years) are the years that kids naturally want to work with groups so there are lots of group projects and such. anon

Play-based vs. Montessori

Can anyone explain the differences between play-based, emergent curriculum, and Montessori preschools? It seems that the daily schedules for most schools are quite similar - involving group/circle time, outdoor play, and free play time to explore materials. I'd also be interested to hear how others have decided which type of preschool is the best fit for their child. Thanks! Rob

We also just put a video on YouTube, which shows a Montessori classroom in action, and provides a good 10-minute overview of how Montessori works in practice. You can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-xK5vgrmBY

Let me start by saying that Montessori is very different from play-based preschool. In fact, it is an entire approach to early childhood education. Fundamentally, Montessori believes that the child should be in charge of his learning, not the adult - and that the best way to make that happen is to combine a carefully prepared environment with a teacher whose main role is to observe the child and to introduce him to the right educational material at the right time. Dr. Montessori believed that the most important years in life are the early ones, birth to age six: she wrote "that is the time when a man's intelligence itself, his greatest implement, is being formed" - and pointed out that young children before age 6 have a very passing window of opportunity to learn many skills early, playfully, skills that are much harder to learn later in a child's life.

With that as the background, here are some of the key differences between authentic Montessori schools and a typical play-based program:

- Multi-age, family-like grouping. In a true Montessori program, 3-6 year-olds are together in one class, and each child stays with the same teacher for a 3-year cycle. The younger ones benefit from observing the older children; the older children act as mentors. The teacher really gets to know each child. And children can develop at their own pace: the classroom will have materials appropriate for 3-year olds and for 7-year olds.

- A deliberate selection of Montessori activities, and not the typical lego-blocks-barbie-trucks toys you have at home anyway. Over decades of experimentation, Dr. Montessori identified an assortment of learning materials, which share a few key characteristics: Children love to engage with them over and over again; by working with them, children learn certain skills - such as careful observation, hand strength, the ability to distinguish musical tones, the shapes of the letters, counting; the materials build sequentially, enabling children to progress from one to the next as their abilities evolve; they are self-correcting, so children can work independently of adults and learn to problem-solve on their own.

- A long, unstructured, child-led "work period" - as against the typical adult-led schedule of 30 minutes of this, followed by 30 minutes of that (e.g., circle time, crafts, snack, outside time, story time etc.) In a good Montessori school, children have 2-3 hours each morning and afternoon to pursue what interest them - and the adults respect and encourage this child-led exploration. Thus, children develop real interests - and learn to expand their attention span through chosen, self-directed activities.

We chose Montessori for our children, because the many benefits of this approach. Kids just learn so much: They improve their gross and fine motor skills. They extend their attention span (my now 4-year-old daughter couldn't focus for more than 5 min at age 2 1/2 - now she works on one project for several hours.) They learn ''Grace and Courtesy'' skills, such as asking for help kindly, using please/thank you, helping friends, not snatching toys away. They become very independent - the schools teach them how to button clothes, how to set and clean a table, how to prepare foods (my daughter loves that ability to do things ''all by myself.'') They also learn a lot of academics - many 4-year-olds in Montessori begin to read (all learn their letter sounds) and do math, joyfully (my daughter has learned to count to 20 and write the numbers to 20, she just started on adding numbers.)

The key challenge if you want a Montessori school will be to find a good one. I'd suggest you start by looking for a school associated with or that employs AMI-certified teachers (they go to a challenging, 1-year, on-site program which goes much beyond the typical preschool teacher credentials.) I visited a dozen schools in our area before choosing American International Montessori in South Berkeley; you may want to check them out if you are ok with having a Mandarin or Japanese immersion program: http://www.aimmontessori.com/ Montessori Mom

As an early childhood educator, first of all I have to say that there are several different models in early childhood education, all of which have pros and cons. While a child may be very happy in a model, s/he may not reach his/her full potential in another one. Therefore, you should take into consideration your child's personality, interests and your parenting style before making a decision. I strongly believe that there is no single great model but the most important thing is that children should be given their right to play in a good preschool. The things that have been praised in the previous comments about Montessori schools are supposed to be covered in a ''quality'' preschool, no matter its approach is. Supporting impulse control, increasing attention span, teaching children ''grace and courtesy'', developing literacy and math skills; that is supporting the whole development of a child in brief should be what a ''quality'' preschool is aiming for. Before making such a decision, I suggest one should find out whether there is a warm and loving atmosphere, which helps the child's emotional development, whether there is a good curriculum, which provides children with the opportunity to explore and learn while having fun and a good parent involvement, which will ensure that the school and family are on the same road to support the child. Personally, I believe play is a child's work so I'd love to see my child using his imagination and being creative instead of using structured materials in a single way demonstrated by the teacher or learning academics, as he is going to learn counting or other cognitive skills easily through play in anyway.

Finally, I'd like to add that having a Montessori certificate is not'' going much beyond a typical preschool teacher'' but becoming specialized in one of the many early childhood curriculum approaches. Love of children, a good level of human development knowledge as well as a creative and innovative mind are essential skills for preschool teachers, even for the Montessori school teachers... Elif

Does Montessori preschool prepare kids for teamwork?

Hello, We are starting to seriously consider preschools for our 22 month old and were wondering about montessori schools.

I have taken a tour of a montessori preschool and am very impressed, but my concern is if this type of preschool is good for children who are headed for public school, vs. a private montessori k-12 school?

I spoke with a fellow parent who's child attended a montessori preschool and is now (at 7) attending a public school. Apparently the child is having a hard time adjusting to group activities and as a team player.

My question is, has any other family experienced this, or is this solely based on the child's individual personality?

Any advise from parents who's children have attended a montessori preschool and are now attending a public school would be appreciated! Thanks!

Any regrets about choosing Montessori?

I'm strongly considering sending my 3-year old son to a Montessori preschool. When I began the preschool search, I was pretty set on a play-based program, but I've recently changed my mind. The whole selection process has been so stressful, and I know I will feel so much wiser once my son has started. So I'd love to tap the wisdom of parents with preschool graduates out there-- any regrets about choosing a Montessori preschool program for you child? Stressed about preschool

Searching for a pre-school is incredibly time consuming and stressful. I also did a lot of research and came to the conclusion that Montessori was a good choice for our child and fit with our personal beliefs about child development. After our first meeting with the teachers at Montessori Family School (MFS), I felt this school was our first choice, and fortunately we were accepted.

Please read the post above (Kind of Pre-school?) for more information. I won't repeat it here. I do not have any regrets about choosing a Montessori program or Montessori Family School. I didn't see the point of play-based schools because they seemed like daycare. If I wanted a play-based program for my pre-school child, I would have had a nanny share and saved the money. I feel that Montessori is worth every penny for the multitude of reasons mentioned in the other posting.

What I suggest is that you take into consideration your research, intuition and your child's body language while visiting schools. There's an open house for the Montessori Family School Early Education Campus at 1850 Scenic Ave in Berkeley on Saturday, February 27th at 10:30 am. You can tour the classrooms and meet the teachers--well worth the visit if you haven't already observed the school.

Happy MFS Parent

Traditional vs. Montessori Preschool

HELP! I am having an internal struggle between traditional and montessori schools. My twins will turn 3 in late October. Right now they go to ''school'' one day a week for three hours. Their teachers are sweet, their faces light up when they see my boys, they read stories and sing and my boys enter with glee. It is like an extension of a mother's love! Many traditional preschools tend to have teachers like these, but lack a bit of structure. When I visit Montessori schools, I love that the kids seem so busy and capable. I love that manners and self disciple are taught. But everyone--kids and teachers-- seem so serious. Of course, I've only seen parts of the day, but I feel little kids should have a certain amount of ''joy'' in their day. Do you have any thoughts--pros/cons---from personal experiecne you'd like to share? Thanks so much! confused

Searching for a pre-school is incredibly time consuming. I also did a lot of research and came to the conclusion that Montessori was a good choice for our child and fit with our personal beliefs about child development. After our first meeting with the teachers at Montessori Family School (MFS), I felt this school was our first choice and fortunately we were accepted.

It sounds like you have seen how a Montessori classroom operates. There is a certain "hum" that happens when a classroom full of young children is deep in concentration. There is a respect for routine with minimal interruption during the work period. Children interact in small groups and also work individually, by choice, moving from one beautiful, hands-on material to another. Play and work are synonymous for children. In Montessori, the children "work" at an individual pace and teachers are able to accommodate a variety of learning styles. It appears that Montessori gets the gears going from day one.

One aspect of Montessori that stands out is the early development of independence. Young children are way more capable than we realize. With the parenting coaching we received as needed from the teachers at MFS, I knew we were off to a good start. I can't tell you how eye-opening this emotional/social focus has been. I have seen our first child blossom in this environment and our second will begin pre-school in a few months.

MFS is an extraordinary school that continues up through elementary and middle school. The teachers are excellent and the community great. At MFS I see an important balance of strong academics and the social/emotional education that I think will prepare our children for interesting challenges of the 21st century.

I feel the differences between Montessori and Traditional education become even more apparent in kindergarten and above. The biggest difference I see is that Montessori learning is more vertical or deeper while Traditional education is more lateral. There are other differences too, such as time management skills built into Montessori, while in Traditional, the schedule is pre-determined. Montessori learning feels more natural and kinder and again seems to prepare children well for the rest of their lives without being either too structured and unstructured.

Please feel free to contact me with questions. There's an open house on Saturday, February 27th at the Early Education Campus at 1850 Scenic Avenue in Berkeley at 10:30 am. Come tour the classrooms and see what you think. Happy MFS Parent

Is Montessori school a good fit for bouncy 4-year-old?

My 4 year old son is currently in a traditional school. He has problems at school in the last several weeks. He does relatively fine at home. Basically he doesnít listen well at school; the biggest issue is he doesn't want to take a nap at school, and cannot keep quiet and stay in his cot. The teacher literally said, when he didn't want to listen, they didn't know what to do with him.

Since the problem is not going to get solved there, we decided to move him to another school which doesn't require nap time for 4 year olds. It has been very stressful to get calls from the school almost every day; and hear all the negative comments from an afternoon teacher every day when I pick him up.

My son is a bounce-around boy, active, a typical kinesthetic learner, not afraid of authority. For a kid like him, do you think that a more structured environment will be better for him? There're openings in a Montessori school near where we live. Are Montessori schools more structured? Are they a better fit for a boy like my son?

I used to find this environment restrictive, until I realized how much happier the children (and parents) are when we are clear, loving and fair about setting our own boundaries, and learn how to set ''natural consequences'' for our actions. I think Montessori has been the best thing in the world for MY children. Good luck! Montessori Mom

Can your son listen to instructions in general? Does your family expect him to listen when an adult or another child addresses him? Montessori schools want children to be able to listen to direction and watch an adult or another child show how to work with a piece of material as a starting point for gaining ground in many areas that lead to more self reliance and sense of capability, and true capability on the part of the child. When the child can exercise enough control over his or her impulses to stop, listen, and watch for guidance, many wonderful things start to become possible for the child.

If your child is accustomed to being able to kind of ''run wild'', so to speak,and your parenting style is happy with this, then Montessori is probably not a good fit for either you or your child.

If, on the other hand, you want your child to be able to gain enough self control to begin establishing his skills in many areas, including community living, then Montessori may be just the thing for your family. You will be able and happy to support what the school is trying to do for your son, and the school will be happy supporting your parenting efforts.

In our enrollment process at my school we deliberately give families a chance to think about this sort of thing before enrolling, to make sure there is a good fit before we commit a space and the parent commits for a school year.

Having said all that, I believe that there may be some children who would need the absolutely most experienced and patient of Montessori teachers to be integrated into a Montessori classroom. The activity level of these children is so very high, and impulse control so low that it is a really big struggle for the teachers and for the child and the parents just to get to that level where the child can begin to exercize enough self control to not be a constant disruption in the classroom environment where children are used to respecting one another's space, materials, and feelings. Perhaps this scenario is not at all applicable to your child, but I thought I should throw in this consideration as well, if you are thinking about Montessori for your son.

I wish you well in considering preschool options for your son. And because I love Montessori education so much for what it does for children, I hope it turns out to be a good fit for your family. Mimi at Garden Gate

Montessori preschool isn't structured enough for 2-year-old

Hi. After 6 months in Japan, we brought our 2 year old back last week to start at the Montessori school we had chosen for him... and I hate it. In his little Japanese school they learned so much. They started the day in a little circle calling attendance and singing songs, they went on nature walks, the teacher read books to the group, sometimes they would all play with big lego blocks... but all very group oriented.

Our son LOVED it. He had so much fun every day seeing how other kids did the same thing he was doing. He learned so many words and songs. Now we go to the Montessori and they literally require nothing of the children. There is no group time AT ALL. There is no structure at all, except when snack, outdoor play, and lunch is. The teacher will read a book to individual children if they ask, but no group singing or reading. Just to note, he is a sharp little cookie... picked up Japanese on top of his Spanish and English. He is wide awake and very open to learning.

First of all, what is the difference between daycare and montessori at this age? I am struggling to see it. Second, are there more structured methods of schooling at this age? J

I had my child at one Montessori for a year that I did not like for a variety of reasons. We moved him to another the following year and they are great. anon

I highly recommend finding a preschool or daycare that is certified by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. In order to be certified, a center must meet standards established by this professional organization, which include staffing, training, space, materials, curriculum delivery. These standards have been developed in association with other educational professional associations--Internation Reading Association, etc. I have never seen a ''bad'' center with this certification. Now, there may still be less than ideal teachers. . .You can look up certified centers at www.naeyc.org This rating is separate from the state's rating which focuses on health and safety. But most important, find a place that is a good fit for your family and your child. What is great for one may not be for another. Looked at LOTS of preschools

Switching to Montessori after a year at play-based preschool

I am enrolling my son in a play-based preschool in the fall, at 2 years old. The school has a fairly high ratio (24 children to 3 teachers), and when I visited the school I noticed that many of the children play for periods of time without teachers' supervision/guidance. I think this will be fine for my child, since he is very active and independent. But he is also quite bright and loves problem-solving and learning new things (at 21 months he knows around 700 words, knows all the letters by heart and can count to 10), so I am thinking he would also thrive in a Montessori environment. A Montessori is not really an option for this fall for many reasons - financially, I doubt there are openings now, and because I think he still needs some 'running around' time. So, I am thinking of keeping him in the play-based for one year, then switching to a Montessori when he is 3, for the two years before he goes to Kindergarden at 5 years old. Any comments on if this is a good idea - i.e. the transition from play- based to Montessori, two preschools in three years, changing friends and teachers, etc. Also, any comments on the benefits of play-based vs. Montessori, and the differences, are greatly appreciated! still wavering

Montessori vs. Play-based Preschool

Hi-I am wondering whether I could get some advice from parents who have experience with both play-based preschools and Montessori schools. My son will be 2 1/2 next fall, and I am having a hard time deciding between the two types of school philosophies. The Montessori schools seem to teach kids great practical skills but seem somewhat stiff and the kids don't look like they are having all that much fun, but the play-based schools don't seem to teach as much about the practical world and the hands-on stuff that I find to be useful, yet the kids seem to be free to be just that--kids. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have very minimal experience with observing either type of preschool, so my above critique is based on what little I know. Thanks! - confused parent

I am debating between montessori preschool (pretty strict montessori) and play base for my almost 3 years old son. I see both good and bad in both philosophies. At the montessori school, I see how my son could be learning sense of responsiblity and be advanced in academic part by the time he goes to kindergarden. He will also enjoy the calmness of it. He will enjoy mastering many projects. On the other hand, he will miss the introduction to new art projects (because at montessori, they can do art if they want to but it is not encourage like play base school), simple music and dancing, and being just a kid and have fun. I have been thinking this through over and over. I know that it all comes down to what would fit his personality and temerpaments. I also know that there is no ''perfect'' preschool. But it is such a difficult decision to make. So, I wonder if I can hear other parents' input on this subject. Thank you. confused mom

I am not sure how old your child is but one positive aspect of Montessori is the mixed age group. My son is the youngest and in the short time he has been there, we have seen tremendous changes in his independence and ''willingness'' to do things on his own (practical life skills). However, he has always had a strong will so I think the environment with the older kids just encouraged him a bit more. I think it also depends on the school and class room environment-I found that although my son's school seems more like an ''institution'' than a home based pre- school, his teachers have been tremendously nurturing and supportive of his needs as a 3 year old to play, or be in a group setting, etc. My son loves art and music so he naturally gravitate to the circle time participation and other ''enrichment'' activities in the classroom on his own. On the other hand, he is also very social so working independently has been a bit of a challenge for him but it is also his young age. He receives a lot support to get redirected to work on his own and apparently once he gets the introduction to the ''work'' he becomes very engaged and enjoys it. Also, before he started he was already pretty interested in numbers, ABC's etc so even and since starting the program, he seems to be a bit more directed about learning sounds, counting, etc but personally that might just be him. On the other hand, all of Montessori ''work'' is sequential so I am also certain that some of the things he is exposed to are also attributing to the heightened awareness without going over board.

I think my son gets plenty of kid ''play'' time at home but it was a bit of a change for us to see him do ''work'' (as they call it) seeing that he LOVED playing all day long at home with his nanny share prior to starting school. I think it is children's nature to want to follow a group at a young age, but eventually I think they do grow out of that and ''some'' prefer to make their own choices...our opinion is that that is how the world works and we feel that the Montessori environment really fosters that.

I would suggest you speak about your concerns with the teachers and director about your concerns to a get their opinion play based vs. the independent work. I think it is more important to base your decision on the support and nurturing your child will be receiving (as well as yourself as a parent!) in his classroom- regardless if it is Montessori or play-based. Please email me directly if you have any other questions suags

If you have two specific schools in mind, one that is Montessori and the other play-based, and you like them both about equally overall, bring your son for trial visits at each. See which one HE likes better! Or choose on the basis of which offers a more convenient schedule or location for you, or which one costs less. Remember that if you make a choice and then later feel that it was a mistake, it is not THAT hard to switch schools! It's Only Preschool

Only recently did the term ''play based'' become a popular term to be used by preschools where most learning is supposed to be accomplished through play. It seems that non-Montessori schools have begun to differentiate themselves both from Montessori and from sturctured academic preschool programs through this terminology. But I am concerned that this differentiation is contributing to some ironic misconceptions about Montessori education as being some things that it is not and not being some things that it is.

By contrasting Montessori with ''play based'' education, one would get the impression that Montessori, itself, is not play based. Surprisingly, if truth be known, the Montessori method of education is, in itself, 100% play based. There is absolutely no differentiation between the play that a child does to pour water from one pitcher to another, improvise music with tone bells, or paint a water color, and the play that a child does to learn how to make words from letters or carry out multiplication on a bead board. It is just that in Montessori schools we call this the work of the child. It is all the child's self chosen work to develop through interaction with the environment,the hands-on, natural way of learning that is the hallmark of early childhood.

The child's work of becoming a social human being also develops naturally through the children's spontaneous interactions with one another within this environment. Children work both alone and with other children depending upon their own wishes at a given moment, so when they enter into an interaction with another child, they feel in control of the situation because they have chosen it. An emphasis is placed on learning how to work respectfully together, to work out problems together, and how to be a kind and thoughtful member of the little community.

In preschools that identify themselves as ''play based'', the orientation is that children need to play and socialize their way through preschool with the traditional preschool materials such as blocks,puzzles,dolls, etc.and that they are learning through these experiences. But then there is a differentiation between this happy and self chosen play and what is considered to be the more serious academic and academic preparedness work that begins closer to the kindergarten year, with at first, perhaps a smattering of structured ''academic work'' at pre- determined group times, and later pehaps more academic work at sit down group times that are very different from the child's other ''play based'' times. In contrast, the Montessori conception of play as the child's spontaneous, natural form of working toward self development permeates all of the opportunities offered, including the academic work. This represents an underlying difference from popular ideas about what makes children happy and fulfilled and how young children learn best. In Montessori schools all learning blends together as the child's playful response to a rich and inviting environment.

People sometimes enter a Montessori school and do not understand why it is so quiet, or why the children seem so serious while they are ''working.'' It is the child's concentration on a chosen task that tells us that she or he has found something truly satsifying to the child. Yet many people still hold the idea that if children are not running about, creating chaos, and being loudly gregarious, they are not ''being kids''. In Montessori schools ''being a kid'' means finding what you need to develop into a whole and fulfilled individual within a community of other people. This is not just a preparation for the next step in life, but a means to wholeness. Montessori children are centered, happy, confident little people who have learned how to contribute meaningfully to their community as well as to follow their individual and unique impetus toward learning and expression.

You mention that your child would miss out on art work in a Montessori school because it is there but not encouraged. But It is the environment that is carefully designed to encourage the child and respond to his needs. This is what gives the child a chance to be more self determining and self discovering. Art work in a good Montessori school is in many places throughout the school. It is in the ''Sensorial'' area where children find beautiful,inviting materials through which to refine their senses and appreciation regarding texture, color, shape,and sound, and even refining their discrimination of taste and smell. It is in the water color work set up on a beautiful tray with a good brush and good paints and a little jar of water. It is in the many other art materials set out for children to explore and use with both respect and self expression.

In a good Montessori school, this little water color ''work'', like all other ''work'' is a delightful, child oriented temptation sitting on a shelf, waiting for an eager little artist to choose it, carry it to a table, use with it joy and respect, and then restore to it's original cleanliness and order, and return to the shelf. It is not an adult supervised ''art time'' experience or a station where children can perhaps volunteer to go for a limited time under the watchful supervision of an adult. And, as with all learning materials, the art materials are an ever evolving part of the prepared environment. The teacher is a guide who watches to see what her individual students are ready for, prepares these inviting tasks, presents how to handle them to the children, and then observes to see how the children use them, varying them as needed, and providing suggestions and guidance, but never forcing, because the child's inner motivation for learning is the strongest and most effective pathway to a child's further development.

Some people worry about there being less fantasy play in the Montessori school. Fantasy play is less emphasized in half day programs than in ''play based'' preschools, because children have so much fantasy play in their home environments, and we feel that school is an opportunity to develop in ways that may not be so available at home. However full day programs where children are not going home for the afternoon have lots of fantasy and open ended activities in the afternoon portion of their programs, and even most morning programs have opportunities for fantasy play built into some aspects of the program.

Are children able to be ''just children'' in a Montessori environment? You bet they are, but we see children as young people trying to evolve toward their full human potential. Yes there is a structure to the environment,which serves as a framework that gives the child the opportunity to function independently. This independence brings the child the ability to act more freely to learn, develop, and discover his/her interests and creativity than would be otherwise possible.

I realize that this is a really long post, but Montessori is a complex way of working with children with a deep and broad philosophical base designed to meet the real needs of children. To the casual observer it may appear to be something it is not, and to not be something that it is. I thank you for the opportunity to try to clarify some common misconceptions about this really fabulous and holistic way of approaching the education of our young people. Mimi

Here are my main criticisms of Montessori for preschool:

1. It does not teach kids the main thing they need to learn at this age which is how to play with others and get along socially. Every activity was either individual ''jobs'', whole group instruction, or completely unorganized play outside. There was no opportunity to get to know other kids and learn how to play with them. (Just because kids are all climbing on the same structure or going down the slide doesn't mean they are actually playing together.)

2. It does not encourage or even really allow for kids to use their imaginations, which is a real shame to deny this for 3-5 year olds.

3. It sets up a false dichotomy (to me) between ''work'' and ''play''. Especially at this age, learning should be fun.

I think Montessori is probably a great method for a certain small percentage of children. It is both mystifying and dismaying to me that it is so prevalent among educated middle class families to the point that it seems to be the only option available in certain areas (such as Alameda). Why are such parents so concerned about the academic achievement of their preschoolers? Do kids really need to know how to read before they start kindergarten? (BTW, a few months after we put her in a play-based daycare our daughter was back to her delightful self, and now she is really enjoying and doing well in kindergarten.) --obviously not a Montessori fan

Montessori and OCD?

I am considering a Montessori preschool for my daughter and am interested in hearing from parents of former or current Montessori kids or others with knowledge. I really like much of the philosophy but wonder if the emphasis on order and cleanliness is actually an overemphasis which could lead to problems later on. Has there been any research in this area? Any advice appreciated.
Signed, Mom with enough obsessive tendencies for the whole family.

Montessori vs. Developmental Preschool

My almost 4-year old daughter is currently attending a developmental preschool. We are hoping to send her to a Catholic school once she enters Kindergarten. Should we keep her in the program she is currently attending or would a Montessori environment prepare her more for the challenges of Kindergarten? Any feedback would be wonderful! Thanks... Cheryl

What is Montessori?

I have found that the Montessori schools vary dramatically and whether they are good for your child really depends on the personality of the child and the school. When I first looked at a Montessori in San Francisco, I found it very rigid. I was uncomfortable there and my then 2 year old son seemed out of place when we went to check it out. He needed more flexibility and fewer rules. He had a strong sense of self esteem and was very social. The next time I looked into Montessori, it was at a different location and for a different child. This time it was a wonderful fit. Due to numerous changes when my second son was 2 (we moved, lost our regular care giver, changed jobs), he had lost some self esteem and was not very social. The Montessori he now attends, has more flexibility, is wide open and has encouraged his learning and exploration. In the last year he has blossomed, regained his self confidence and lost most of his shyness. So even though the Montessoris follow the same philosophy--how that philosophy is implemented will depend a lot on the director and the teachers. The surroundings vary too and make a big difference. In all Montessoris, everything has a place in which it belongs and the child is expected to return his or her "work" to the appropriate space. In SF the room was divided by child high space dividers into small and relatively dark work areas. The director became annoyed when my 2 year old--there just for a visit--picked something out and moved it from one area to another. In the Montessori we are now in (in Marin), the room is large--brightly lit--and everything is placed along the walls. It is a more welcoming feeling and gives the children a whole room to explore and move around. So you need to check out the specific school and if possible talk to other parents whose children are there. Good luck.

I was a Montessori kid myself and have my 3 year old in a Montessori school (Cedar Creek Montessori), and I think the Montessori method is wonderful. However, any school can call itself Montessori and have nothing to do with the Montessori method. I've been looking at Montessori schools on the Peninsula because we are moving there this summer and there are a lot of terrible ones! But I was very impressed with the Discovery Children's House (650-856-1760) Montessori school, which is in Palo Alto (and also in San Carlos); I also liked Montessori Community School in Redwood City. In general, AMS certified schools seem to be better. What I like about Montessori--they teach children to respect other people, they teach children to be self-motivated (the child is the one who picks what he/she will work on) and disciplined, they have an environment that is interesting to kids and helps them learn about the world in a concrete way, and they want to reach out to the community to interact positively and promote respect and peace. I also like that they have mixed ages, where older kids can act as teachers and mentors for the younger ones. What I look for are teachers and directors of schools that treat the children (and each other) in a respectful way--a Montessori teacher doesn't raise her/his voice, but uses positive disciplining measures. I also look for a warm environment where the children are engaged but having fun, where the teachers obviously care a lot for the kids. Yes, these schools are expensive, but child development research has shown that the biggest differences in a child's education come in the first 6 years of life. Better to spend that money now when it can so positively impact the way the child will learn for the rest of their lives. There is a good web site, http://www.montessoriconnections.com/, for finding Montessori schools. The Montessori method is not for every child, but I think it is worth visiting a good Montessori school and observing the kids and how much they enjoy the work they are doing, and also seeing how your child interacts with the environment. Then you can see if it is right for you.

Yes, yes, yes on Montessori, but you have to check out the individual program. There are different approaches within the method, some being more "rigid" than others. One advantage to Montessori is that all the teachers are fully trained in a two-year (?) program. My son was in a developmental (play=learning philosophy) and didn't prosper. He needed more structure, which Montessori gave him. He likes to know what's expected, and he loves to learn. And learn he did, all in a pleasant, progressive way with lots of manipulatives. The kids are the center of things in Montessori, and the teachers address the whole child, teaching manners, caring, self-reliance (fixing their own simple snacks), math, clean-up, cooking, gardening, science, and pre-reading. The kids go at their own paces and are never made to feel they are "behind." The materials are specialized for teaching kids of the relevant ages, and I liked the fact that they "extend" to keep teaching to kids once they have the basic principle down. Also, kids teach and help other kids, thereby reinforcing their learning. My son is gifted and was able to find challenges all the way thru his time at Montessori. Despite all the learning, there is also a lot of creativity and unstructured play-time. At first I was put off by the fact that the kids lined up to go inside, had to work on small mats, etc. But then I realized my son really liked and needed structure to his day.