Does anyone have advice on pros and cons of sending a 3yr old to Montessori Preschool?

Question

Does anyone have advice on pros and cons of sending a 3yr old to Montessori Preschool?

Answer 1

Not all Montessori schools are equal and most of them have adapted the Montessori methods so that some of them are not even recognizable as Montessori even though they have taken that name. So do your research and don't just go by the name.

Thats my two cents worth anyway.

Answer 2

Copied/Pasted from an article:

Research shows benefits of Montessori education

Staff and agencies

Friday September 29, 2006

EducationGuardian.co.uk

A method of schooling that focuses on personal development rather than exams produces more mature, creative and socially adept children, scientists have found.

Psychologists in the US found that across a range of abilities, children at Montessori schools out-performed those given a traditional education.

Five-year-old Montessori pupils were better prepared for reading and maths, and 12-year-olds wrote "significantly more creative" essays using more sophisticated sentence structures.

Some of the biggest differences were seen in social skills and behaviour.

Montessori children displayed a greater sense of "justice and fairness", interacted in an "emotionally positive" way, and were less likely to engage in "rough play" during break times.

The schooling system was invented in the early 1900s by Maria Montessori to educate poor children in her native Italy.

There are more than 5,000 Montessori schools in the US, and around 600 in the UK, where they are privately funded.

The method discourages traditional competitive measurements of achievement, such as grades and tests, and instead focuses on the individual progress and development of each child.

Children of different ages share the same classes, and are encouraged to collaborate and help each other. Special educational materials are used to keep children interested, and there is an emphasis on "practical life skills".

The researchers, who reported their findings in the journal Science, compared children aged three to 12 at a Montessori school in Milwaukee with those at other schools in the same area.

Parents won places for their children at the unnamed Montessori school by entering a "lottery" run by the local education department.

All parents of pupils at the schools studied, had similar incomes of between $20,000 (£10,500) and $50,000 (£26,000).

Children were tested for mental performance, academic abilities, and social and behavioural skills.

Angeline Lillard, from the University of Virginia, who co-led the study, said: "We found significant advantages for the Montessori students in these tests for both age groups.

"Particularly remarkable are the positive social effects of Montessori education. Typically the home environment overwhelms all other influences in that area."

Not only were five-year-old primary school children better prepared for the "three Rs" at primary level, they also had higher scores in tests of "executive function". This is the ability to adapt to changing and complex problems, and is seen as an indicator of future school and life success.

Although the Montessori children were not regularly tested or graded, they did just as well in spelling, punctuation and grammar exams as those given conventional lessons.

Older Montessori pupils were more likely to choose "positive assertive responses" when dealing with unpleasant social situations, said the researchers.

They also displayed a "greater sense of community" at school.

The scientists concluded: "Montessori education fosters social and academic skills that are equal or superior to those fostered by a pool of other types of schools."

Dr Lillard plans to continue the research by tracking students from both groups over a longer period of time. She also hopes to repeat the study at other Montessori and traditional schools, and assess specific Montessori techniques.

The Montessori method has had its share of criticism. Some parents believe the classroom environment is "too free", while others question Montessori teaching priorities, or the fact that children are not normally assigned homework.

In Britain, the government is funding a joint project with the Montessori Schools Association to develop the teaching practice in a state primary school for the first time.

The aim is to raise standards at the 350-pupil Gorton Mount primary school in inner-city Manchester. The school, where 36 different languages are spoken and 71% of children have free meals, has had seven headteachers in six years and was placed in special measures.

The association will hold its annual conference in London tomorrow. The Conservatives' education spokesman, David Willetts, is due to address the conference, which will look at preventing exclusion in Montessori classrooms.

______________________________________...

Edit:

Someone below me mentioned that it is hard for Montessori children to get along with others because they are not used to working as a group.  Generally speaking, this is the exact opposite of the truth. Children in traditional settings are not used to working as a group and this is a reason why some Montessori children may have trouble adjusting to a traditional setting.  In a traditional setting, the teacher is really directing the group activities during classroom time.  They control the time restraints of how long that activity should be.  They control the type of information provided to the child.  They control exactly how the children should carry this out.  

It's no fair to group how traditional education works any more than it is to group how Montessori Education works.  There are so many different things that try to categorize themselves as both.  That said, you may find a wonderful and fantastic Traditional Teacher that I would trust before I trust it with a Montessori teacher that doesn't know what he or she is doing.  So if we look simply at the way the structure is *SUPPOSED* to be set up, we see that the teacher in a traditional setting is supposed to guide the students much more throughout the process of group activities.  This does not do anything for most students except teach them how to follow the teacher's directions.  It does not provide the opportunity for the children to learn on their own.

Answer 3

any preschool is better than none.  I have not heard any bad things about Montessori - we don't have any around my area but our private preschool is the best!

Answer 4

Pros:

-Specialised curriulum

-Specific equipment

-Lots of independence and structure

Cons:

-Less social development as lots of independence and solo experiences.

-I personally diagree with some of the values and think its too strict with not enough 'learning through and about play'.

If i was you I would go visit Monterssori preschools and then other forms such as Steiner (normally kindergartens) and mainstream which follow the Foundation Stage Curriculum (government approved curriculum). Then you can see what you think of layout, environment, curriculum, teachers etc.

Answer 5

I am a Montessori Teacher and here is what I found during my work.

For preschoolers- I think that this is a wonderful way for children to learn because it is all hands on and concrete materials.

The mixed age classrooms also help because they young children watch and follow the older kids. So if an older child is reading the younger one might want to be just like them and get that drive to do it.

The math and language program is great. I have kids that are reading at a great level at age 4 and doing 4 digit math problems at 4.5. The math problems are 4 digits long and the go from addition static to addition dynamic- multiplication static multiplication dynamic- subtraction static to subtraction dynamic and then division.

It is just a great overall education for children before primary schools.

Any questions email me.

Answer 6

The Montessori Method is great for kids (Created by Maria Montessori, often focuses on the child making their own decisions and choosing activities)...But it's important to be sure that it is right for YOUR child, not just for all children...

In other words, really look at your own child (their likes and dislikes/ personality traits, learning styles, social development, any developmental delays, etc.)  

Next, check out the specific Montessori Schools in YOUR area...The Montessori Method itself is great, but different schools follow the Montessori Guidelines at different levels and to different extents.  Changing from home care or regular daycare to Montessori might be a major one (depending on the child), so be sure to visit those M schools in your area, ask questions, observe their routine and policies, etc. before you make any major decisions!

Hope this helps!

Answer 7

You can learn the complete Montessori curriculum for only $39.90 at  http://www.montessori-book.com  .Knowing the details of the curriculum will definitely help you decide for your 3 year old.

Answer 8

I prefer more traditional preschools. Montessori curricullum is based on children working on their own at their own pace.

In the real world, children need to learn to get along with others and work together. It can be very difficult for a montesorri child to get used to regular elementary schools because they are not used to working as a group.

Answer 9

The Dr Maria Montessori way of pre schooling is just about the best a perschooler can have. You give your child the edge on learning.