Montessori Love
16 April 2008 by Liz
Y’all have heard me complain more than once about the current day care situation. I looked at another day care option a couple weeks ago but didn’t love it. I don’t see any need to pull Jack and Will out of the place they are now unless I am confident it’s going to be a better situation for them (and, by extension, for me).
This morning I visited a Montessori school and IMMEDIATELY fell in love with the place. I did some reading before I went about the Montessori methods and tried to find the pros and cons, but it’s going to take a very convincing con to make me not enroll the boys here in the fall.
The school I visited has pre-school, pre-K and kindergarten. (Basically 3-6 year olds, but will accept 2 1/2 year olds, too. Lucky Will!!) I was immediately struck by how different the director of this school was compared to the ‘principal’ at the current day care. I was extremely impressed with her. Even if I hadn’t had such horrible experiences with the ‘principal’, I still would really have liked this woman.
Then I sat in one of the full-day classrooms to observe for about 20 minutes. A-mazing. I am not an expert on Montessori methods, but I can tell you that I was extremely impressed with how that classroom (of 3-6 year olds) was run. It was so orderly. And quiet. And pleasant. I love that there are children of mixed ages in the classrooms.
I expressed some concern to the director about the boys’ transition from the chaos of the current center to such a different environment. She pointed out that it’s now April and these kids have been doing this since September. They understand the program and are in a routine. She assured me that September was not as organized. But, in good news, about 2/3 of each class are returning students, which makes it easier to transition the new kids.
At one point a couple of the kids told one of the teachers that they needed to use the bathroom. She walked over to a shelf, and picked up a lovely crystal bell. She rung the bell and the kids all put down what they were working on (ranging from workbooks to cutting out the countries in South America to letter manipulatives on a mat) and put one hand on their head. She said in normal (almost quiet) speaking voice “Does anyone need to visit the bathroom? If so, line up at the door.” And they did. These adorable little kids all stood nicely in a line.
All I could think about it the absolute chaos that reigns for most of the day at the current day care. (The only time it’s quiet is when they’re letting them all nap for the better part of 3 hours.) The shuffle of kids in and out of the bathroom, the mess the room is in at the end of the day, and the rather loud volume the entire day operates in.
So, I love it. I’m going back next week and taking Jack and Will.
The best part? (Well, not the best part. Their development, well-being and comfort is the best part.) It’s cheaper than current crappy situation. About $250 a month cheaper.
But, in the meantime, I would love to hear from anyone that has had any Montessori experience (good or bad). Thoughts?
Thats awesome. I am so happy you found a better situation. I’m afraid I don’t know anything about them but anything seems to be a step up from the chaos of your current center.
Oh, so happy to hear this! You will love the Montessori method, and may actually decide you want to find a Montessori Lementary when it comes to that time. I think this is going to be a great thing for ALL of you; and they will focus on practical things like tying shoes and zipping zippers as well as a lot of art, science, etc stuff that is age apprporiate. What great news!
Yay, yay, yay!!!! I’m so pleased to hear this!! My boss (whose kids are amazingly bright little boys) swears by the Montessori method so there’s more encouragement for you. I’m so happy for you and your sons!!
How did I know that this would be the title of your post
Of course your children are incredible bright to start off with (Because of you not their freakishly smart father) so they already have an advantage!
My daughter goes to Montessori and LOVES it. I love it. We all love it! (I was a Montessori kid myself, a looooong time ago …
Every day I’m amazed at the things she’s learned. And the place we go has the same calm atmosphere — the polar opposite of most daycares I’ve seen. I don’t know if you know Roxy Music (a band from the 70s-80s), but they play THAT to give you an idea.
Thanks for stopping by the other day — I’m glad to have found your blog too!
I am proud to say that I went to a Montessori school for my first few years. I don’t remember much about it but people will comment on certain things I do and say “That is because you went to the Montessori school.” (Something about how I arrange my items by color.)
I also have a friend who has sent all three of her kids to their school and she loved it for all of them. Her youngest is in thieir preschool now.
My Aunt has also taught at one in Western MA for the past two years and really enjoyed it. She loved how all the kids were together and thought it was well organized and a pleasant environment. She taught in Public schools for over 30 years. Hope it helps! Congratulations on finding a new place. I hope it all works out for you.
Oooh! I’m very interested in this topic. We have quite a few Montessori (and Paideia) schools in this area. I’ve always said I wanted to send Son there, even though I’ve never visited one. I just like the methodology, from what I’ve read.
Then I read this article, and became wildly interested in the Reggio Emilia method of teaching. Unfortunately, it’s not as prevelant as Montessori in this area.
I have to say though, the bell thing you described kinda weirded me out. I think because I first read it that a kid rang the bell, but I also don’t understand why the kids put their hands on their heads?
My sister put her two kids in Montessori years ago. They are now 18 and headed to college in the Fall. One ended up attending a public high school and he is now ranked 1 out of 1,000 in his class, so I guess the Montessori method gave him a good foundation. His sister is headed to a college with an equestrian program…one college with such a program offerred her a full ride, literally and figuratively, but she decided to stay closer to home on a partial scholarship with an equestrian program. My sister was impressed with the Montessori methodology so much that she has been a Montessori teacher for the past 15 years or so…even started her own Montessori school and the enrollment was picking up making it a viable enterprise when a parent started a rumor that negatively impacted enrollment and ultimately she could not pay the bills. The only thing about Montessori that I know I don’t like is that the kids struggle with spelling later because it is not considered important enough to correct, but that just might be my own personality flaw and these days everything can be spell checked.