Hi Ladies, I am in a dilemma about what to do about my son's preschool. He is currently going to a good preschool which he enjoys. Its a regular preschool with lots of play-based academic time. He is also becoming quite independent since he started going there. I love the environment there but I have to change his preschool because its quite a drive from my office (20 minutes from office, farther away from home).
So my first question: I have enrolled him into a montessori which is closer to my office (8 minutes drive) and which also I thought was pretty good. The problem is when I actually met with the montessori teacher, I thought they are pretty strict about their routines and "work" environment. The entire day schedule is focussed on to working on something. There is absolutely no play time. Do you ladies think it would be too much and too boring for a child 2.5 years of age? Do you think I should rather shift him into a regular preschool? I do like the concept of montessori though, that it enables the kids to become more independent, self-motivated and responsible. But i just don't know if it's too soon for him yet.
Now coming to my 2nd question, the ladies at the front office and the assistant director at this montessori are a bit too stern for my taste. They gave a nasty reply on my face once when I forgot to read 1 of their emails and the front office assistant almost never even smiles at me. I feel they are just too proud of their being so good at what they do. Should I overlook their attitude if their school has a chance to enrich my child's life with good values? The owners and the teachers seem good though. I am totally at loss!
I have my son in a montessori and love it.
However, I am a person that tends to rely heavily on my "gut feeling". I'd say to skip this school and search out another possibility.
Just my two cents.
Good luck regardless!
If I may ask, which Montessori (you can PM me if you want to). My daughter goes to a Montessori in Richardson, and if it's the same one, I can tell you that it's a GREAT environment....
I have had questions with them in the past, and they are very receptive to ideas and 'constructive criticism' (wish I was!!).
The answer sounds obvious to me: he's currently going to a "good preschool which he enjoys"; yet you are wondering if you should switch him to a school of stern, unsmiling taskmasters.
Um, you really need an answer?
Trust your gut! Find another montessori if that's what you want, but if you aren't comfortable you should trust those mommy instincts!!!
My son (just turned 5) started at a Montessori this September. Will your child be going all day? I ask because my son has several periods of unstructured play built into the day (outdoors if the weather is not too awful, or in a different room than their regular room if the weather is bad). I am not a complete convert because I agree with you it is a bit over structured. If we did not have the three free play breaks, we would leave. If your son is just going for a 1/2 day (at our school about 3-1/2 hours) I would not expect a break for free play. And in my experience the system is rigid about certain issues (not as 'child led' as they let on). Have you considered a Waldorf school?
Hi - I can not address the montessori versus regular preschool, as my daughter is only 3 months old and I don't know enough about the differences yet. But I do think that the attitude of the front office / leadership at whichever school you choose will trickle down to the kids no matter how high quality the curriculum is. I say trust your gut and go with a school where the people are friendly and put the kids first. The most important thing to me is that my child is loved and surrounded by happy people. I feel if that is in place then the education piece will follow.
If they are rude to you. I would wonder how they treat the kids. Especially 2 year olds!
I can't answer for that specific Montessori - but I am a Montessori 'fan'!!!!!! My daughter attends a Montessori school and my only regret is that I didn't have her there sooner!
Your son WILL play - it's just called work. But, for the most part, your SON will determine how he goes about completing his 'work plan'. He should NEVER be bored. Montessori education fosters a self-motivated desire to learn about the world around you and to understand the impact you have on your environment and surroundings including people, nature, things etc. And alot of that includes play. In fact, a criticism I hear alot from parents is they don't feel Montessori is strict enough and they don't understand how the teacher can guide your son to develop a love of knowledge.
I would jump at the chance to put your son in a Montessori school, if you have the opportunity. I don't think you will regret it.
About the office staff, though.... that is weird. I might try to get to know them better. You should seek out what other parents think of them????
Good Luck!
We loved our Montessori preschool. The rudeness of staff would be a definite "no go" for me though. There are lots of great Montessori schools out there so I would look at a different one.
Possibly this is amongst the answers, but the 'work' to you seems like 'play' to kids. My now 4 yo thinks she plays every day. She does get outside play time, but she thinks all of it is 'play.' Montessori teaches in ways that make the kids feel that way.
If you do like this school, see if you can ask for references of current or past parents. Some schools have them so you can find out what they think of the whole package.
We studied Montessori in school, and I have observed several, and am very impressed. They call it "work," but it is really just structured play. The kids seem very happy with the structure, and very well-adjusted. Be sure to meet with the teacher(s) that will be with your son. I'm sorry that the ladies up front are kind of snobby, but if you are impressed with the teachers, and you can deal with the ladies at the desk, I would go for it. Also, being snooty isn't directly related to Montessori. Some people are just like that. I think you will be impressed with Montessori once you see it in action! Best of luck!
Hi there... If he was well adjusted at the first school that he was in... I would rather drive the extra distance and have a well adjusted child. Parents usually know best... if you are hesitant in anyway about the Montessori school... then listen to your heart.
Kids learn more by how a person is than by what they are trying to teach them. When you choose a pre-school... it should fit in with your values and way of doing things...
I have been on both sides and can say that if you are going to switch him anyways- go ahead and give the Montessori a chance. My daughter built up such a great self esteem and what she learned was truly amazing. They teach the children to respect one another as well as the adults in their lives. It is truly a wonderful curriculum. There will be a transition perod for both of you so give yourself and your son some time to adjust. If the Montessori is good and you have heard good things about it then you may want to try it out. Good luck.
Find a different school. I really think that meeting with the teachers and administrators will tell you more than anything else.
Also, don't give up on Montessori. My son is in a Montessori school, and they do have recess every day (and he goes just half days - 3 hours). I looked at 5 different Montessori schools near my house before choosing, and although the curriculum was the same, there were still big differences in how strict each was and in how much the children interacted. I found one that seemed like a nice balance to me, and so far my son is enjoying it.
One more thing, at most Montessori schools, a 2.5 year old would be in a beginner classroom, that would have a little more play than a primary classroom (usually ages 3-5). You might want to ask about that.
My kids have been in Montessori since they were 18 months, they are now 3 and 5 and thriving there. I sort of had the same 1st impression of Montessori. Very strict and no time for play. But, what I found is, the staff comes out of the gate leeting you know they run a tight ship and they mean business for your children. Once they realized we were not the crazy over protective, needy parents they are super approachable.
Our kids do not get a lot of "play" time, but most of the "work" they do is enjoyable. They do science projects and art. They are able to choose what they want to work on next and all of their peers are doing the same things. My kids are VERY happy there and I know they are in a structured enviornment that is teaching them to learn and discover every day life things. The style of learning is soooo different. Don't give up on it...maybe even try and find another Montessori in your area, I don't think you wil be disappointed...in fact you will be amazed at the things your child will do at such a young age!!
Good luck!
Your first impression doesn't sound like a good one. Can you find another school that is closer?
My daughter has a attended a very structured "true" Montessori since18 months and she is happy, well adjusted, and independent. She has no trouble enjoying silly play time at home but it's not something that's is built into their daily structure. According to the founder of the method, Maria Montessori, children use every opportunity as a learning opportunity, so even time spent outdoors is a time for exploration and learning. I would worry less about how the staff seems to you and judge the school by the children who are currently attended. If they are happy and eager to go about their work then it is probably a great environment!
I seem to be in the minority of responses. We did not have a good experience with Montessori. We had our now 7 year old son, who is in the GT program at his school, in a Montessori school when he was the same age as your son. He attended that school for the entire school year and he was the most unhappy there than any other preschool he went to. They were also frustrated with him. We had problems with the "structured play" because he was too restless. In my opinion there was too much structure for him and not enough free play or outside play time. Academically it was great because most 3 years were writing their names and were beginning to read. But I think their expectation of a 3 year old was that of a 5 year old. My 3 year old boy didn't have the emotional maturity to focus on "work" that long. We moved him to a school with a rotation of classes (much like middle school). Each class focuses on a new topic for a 1/2 hour and then the kids move to the next class. This happens twice a day for 2 hrs each time. The rest of the day is free play, lunch, nap and outside play. This really worked well for our son. Good luck! I know how hard picking a preschool can be and I hope you find one you're very comfortable with.
Give Montessori a chance, it's a great program and very beneficial, especially for the little one. That being said, if you don't feel comfortable with the office staff, that you will have to deal with everyday, then find a different school, Montessori or otherwise. If they are that rude in the front, they are probably that rude to kids and teachers. Teachers who are treating badly will leave, and you will have to handle your child changing teachers. So I would look into other Montessori schools.
You should go with your gut no matter what type of care your aare picking. My daught started montissorie whe she was about 3 we loved it and are 3rd child will also be going too. I think that all the works they do there are play for the kids it is just a more structured play and we had a ver strick teacher her first few years but the kids loved her and my daughter still talks about her. Good luck!
I am a Montessori teacher and I remember the children loved their "work" and didn't want to put it away. We had play time early morning and late afternoon. The children love their routines and would jump at the chance to be the leader for the day. When your child becomes 3 he will be able to do even more activities. I wouldn't give up on Montessori. The question about the administration, that's what most our parents would complain about the chilly treatment of the front office. Please don't fault the teachers since we had to work in that environment but we still loved teaching despite the treatment from the admin. I hope you can find an alternative montessori so that would be the best choice I think.
