Seeking Opinions About Montessori Schools

L.,

I've worked in a Montessori setting before an love the concept. As mentioned, it is very hands on and individualized. The school I worked at catered to kids with learning disorders that are easily distracted and it actually helped them to focus.

Are you looking at any school in particular? I live in St. Pete and there don't seem to be any in my area at all...I'd be interested to see if you found any. Thanks - and best of luck!

My 4 year old (just turned 4) is in a Montessori school. We absolutely LOVE it. She knows all about the solar system, the continents and can write all her letters, just to name a few...things that most kids don't learn until much later. I think it is great. Her behavior is amazing. I am into natural parenting and the school really supports this. They encourage parents not to put junk in their lunch boxes and to use cloth napkins, etc. You should observe some schools and ask questions to see what is right for you. This is absolutely the best choice for us. There are 2 elementary schools that are public which offer Montessori programs, so you wouldn't necessarily have to go for a private school; but there are also several private schools out there. Ours in in San Marco and is private.
The one thing I will caution you on...the Montessori method believes that children my daughter's age haven't grasped the difference between reality and fantasy. They therefore only encourage reality-based activities (hence the fun in chores). They somewhat discourage fantasy play. Each school may interpret the method a little different and support different things. We love the Montessori, but with my daughter's creative imagination, we wouldn't want to stifle fantasy play either. The school is so good that we will surely keep her there...but we make a strong effort at encouraging fantasy play at home, since she doesn't get that at school.
I'd be glad to answer any other questions or to give you contact info for the school (if that is in your area). GOOD LUCK!
--S. Payne Romero
www.lotusinbloom.net

My daughter does not attend Montessori...strictly because I can not afford the tuition. However, I have known people whose children attend Motessori and they love it and swear that it is the best education out there. I do have to admit that the children that attend Montessori do seem to be further ahead than the kids that do not attend Montessori.

Good luck on your decision.

M.

I have never had a child in one of these schools (she's only one), but I am going to school to become a teacher and we discussed the benefits and such of them. I think it depends on the child. If your child likes to be moving all the time and learns better with hands on instruction then chances are she will benefit from a Montessori school. If she tends to lose focus and control when specific limitations are not set for her, then it might not be the best way to go. I think that if you really are interested you should definitely try it. If it doesn't work out, then you'll know and you can put her into a regular school.

Its a wonderful educational process! My little guy just started Montessori House Day School on Erlich, they have a campus on Hanley also. They are the highest accredited Montessori School in the area... Check out their website for more info. But the process allows children to develop at their own pace and level. Good stuff - my guy loves it!

Dear L.,

My daughter has been going to Montessori since she was 2 1/2. We love Montessori. We tried a public/charter school this year and it lasted 4 days! They have a fabulous program for the younk children ages 1 year and up. Do a search on the internet and read about the Montessori methods. My five year old is learning things that my oldest did not learn until fourth grade.

D.

Here is a little history on Montessori schools. Originally Marie Montessori opened this type of school to help underprivilaged children (children who lived in the poorer community) learn the neccessary skills to live. She believed that because these children were underprivilaged they needed the chance to be successful on their own. She created a number of learning "toys" that would help them to build self esteem. She built these toys so that there was no room for error. (Meaning that there was only one way to do them). I have studied about Montessori schools and have a close friend who could be considered an expert on them.
I do know that most of them are wonderful schools but there are so many derivatives of Montessori now, you have to know what you are looking for. The basic concept of a Montessori school is to give children the opportunity to do things independently. The teacher is only there as a facilitator. Children (who are old enough) plan their day and do the things that they have planned. It is very structured and a bit rigid. Hope this helps.
If you need any more info just send me a note.
K.

L.,
My son is at Riverview Montessori at Rivercrest and he loves it. My mother in law taught at Montessori and I have always heard wonderful things about their teaching philosophy. I started looking for schools when he turned 3 (one requirement of this school) and this was the only school he would even enter (the rest of the schools, including two other Montessori schools, he would not even cross the threshold).

The best thing about Montessori is their belief in integrating ages in the classroom so that the children can learn according to their own skill level and not by their age group. My son is 3 and he learns with the 5 year old in many subjects. At school (half days 3 days a week), he is learning to write, speak Spanish, he does Art projects based on specific artists like Ansel Adams and Picasso and he can even identify music by composers-it's crazy what he talks to me about when he gets home. Although he learns alot, he is mostly there to have fun and play, which is so important for the little ones. Anyways, I love it and it is worth every penny I spend there.

I know your daughter, Kate, is still young but if you can find a Montessori school that will accept infants, my opinion is that you enroll her. I hope this was helpful to you and good luck.

L.,

I hate to be the wet blanket here, but my daughter was in a Montessori daycare/preshcool program when she was little (from the time she was 2 till she was ready for school at 5). The biggest fault I have found with that form of teaching is that the children learned the idea that everything (work, chores, school work, etc) was supposed to always be "fun". Now that she is in middle school and learning is no longer "fun", I am having all kinds of trouble getting her to do homework and sometimes even her class work.

Looking back, I would definitely have left her in the program; but I would have made it a point to make sure she understood that work is not always "fun" but you still have to get it done.

Hi L.-
My son is almost 3 and has been attending Montessorie since he was 10 months. I absolutely love his school, he is more advanced than many of my friends children the same age. He will definately stay at Montessorie for as long as possible, the schools in my area go up to 5th grade. Good luck in your descision process!!

Hi L. - My daughter began attending Montessori Academy of Temple Terrace a few months after her 2nd bday and she absolutely LOVES it! This school has a location in Temple Terrace as well as off Skipper Rd. I have been very happy with this school & she is learning so much - way more than a child her age in a reg. pre-school. This schools teaches concepts through songs, teaches Spanish & sign language, science, continents, reading & math. This school also has a "prep" school (also in Temple Terrace)that goes through 4th or 5th grade, I think. Best of luck on your decision.

I have two children. My oldest attended a primary Motessori school for three yers and is now at a Montessori charter school. My youngest is in her 2nd year at the same primary Montessori school. We love it!

Our school starts at 18 mos and goes through kindergarten.

I have a 5 year old daughter who has been going to Montessori schools for 3 years now. She absolutely loves the school, her teachers, and learning. She's learning amazing things. She's become very interested in science and art. She's learning to use Spanish, German, and sign language in every day situations. I love the school because it's so open and caring. I like the fact that her teachers give her a hug every morning and tell her that they're glad to see her. They hold all kinds of seminars for the parents so that you can learn how to incorporate Montessori teachings in the home. I can (and do) stop by the school any time I want to observe or join her for lunch. I encourage anyone that can to send their child(ren) to a Montessori school. If you have any more questions, I'm sure that if you contacted any Montessori school in your area, they'd be more than happy to talk with, give you information, and maybe even a tour of the place.

My son went to a Montessori school near the beaches. I also worked there for a few months. I loved the way it was, and I loved the way the children learn. Its so different than a traditionial daycare. They dont direct you as much, you do what you want. (this is the 4 year old class) the younger rooms, have more direction, but they all learn alot, and fast. I really like the montessori better than a daycare. In 3 weeks, my son could write all his ABC's, and count/write his numbers to a 100... Hes exeptional anyway, but it just shows what someone wanting to learn can do. I think they do really well in this setting. My son is at his dads, but he would be able to tell u what he thinks as well. He loves it. Especially the school he went to. If u want more information let me know!