Is it OK to mix kids 2-5 years in age in a Montesorri class?

Question

I have read that for there are differences in the environment and teaching tools for kids 0-3 and kids 3-8.

Answer 1

My 3 kids all attended Montessori school. They went to a half-day preschool program 2 days a week at age 2.

At age 3 they joined the 3-5 age group and attended 5 days a week. At that level they were doing more actual lessons with Montessori materials and learnign life skills than in the age 2 class, which was more about developing social skills, I believe.

Answer 2

Usually kids don't start preschool until age 3. Even if your child is young, for the vast majority of his or her first year of school, he or she will be 3. So being 2 really isn't an issue.

I attended a Montessori school and had friends of all ages while I was in the 3-5 class, even some in the 1st grade. The older children aided me in my learning inside and we played outside as equals. There isn't a ton of difference between a  2 year old and a 4 year old. As long as they're in the same classroom, they see each other pretty much equally.

My sister was 2 when she started preschool, and she had no trouble. She was a bit shy, but the older children helped her open up and by the end of the first week she was over her shyness and has never looked back (she's no a high school senior).

I don't believe that age segregation is a good idea. In all other walks of life, we're separated by skill level. But in school, skill level is determined by age. Because a child in a Montessori school is in a class for 3-5 (sometimes 2-5) year olds, the child can advance within that classroom at his or her own pace. I did the work that most 5 year olds were doing when I was 3 and 4, and when I was 5, I could go visit the classroom across the way to work with 6 year olds. Children get a real sense of who their peers are. It's very different from high school where you're only proud of your year and look down on freshmen instead of realizing that they are in the exact same stage of life that you are.

Answer 3

Honestly, it's OK to mix kids in a Montessori class. However, it may not because each year old kid has a different curriculum and it's bad to teach all the different ages at the same time.

It is good to mix kids because you can teach other kids challenging things while the other learn its basics.

So either way, I guess it's good to mix kids in a Montessori class

Answer 4

Peer learning provides an important element of the Montessori environment; younger children learn indirectly from older children. Essentially they become mentors to the little ones so to create a community of children. This is a simple idea but requires a skilled teacher to implement successfully. IF, there is any change in the child's normal behavior it may indicate a problem; 2yr olds have very different needs to 5 yr olds. Separation anxiety and the child's emotional wellbeing are issues to discuss with the teacher asap. Ideally there should be at least  one adult: 2 toddlers.

Answer 5

I found Trying2B's answer ironic:

"That's the #1 issue with Montesorri. That and they let the kids decide learning activities. This makes the transition to kindergarten (or first grade) very difficult."

He's/She's suggesting you forget about giving your child a good education and just worry about whether transition into a different environment would be easier.  Providing them with the love of learning at such a young age?  Why would one think that is a bad thing?

Montessori age groups, traditionally, are:

3-6  (Preschool and Kindergarten, in regular terms)

6-9  (1-3 grade, in regular terms)

9-12 (4-6 grade, in regular terms)

Junior High  (7/8 grade, in...well...you get the point)

High School

In the 3-6 curriculum, many schools will start some children that are turning 3 soon (thus 2 years old) if they show that they are ready.  If they're just accepting anyone at that age, it is a red flag.

Every child is different.  Some are ready for the environment and some that age would do better staying at home or in a Toddler environment.  Generally, if they start early in the 3-6 program, many parents want to keep them in an extra year of kindergarten before moving on to the 6-9 program or traditional school.  That is up to the parent to decide when the time comes.

Matt

Answer 6

I find the Montessouri approach very interesting.  I think you need to make sure that this is the approach to school you want to take for a while.  I would not just make this a preschool experience as I do imagine that the transition would be difficult.

One reason for combined age groups is to promote cooperation and learning from peers.

Answer 7

That's the #1 issue with Montesorri.  That and they let the kids decide learning activities. This makes the transition to kindergarten (or first grade) very difficult.

Avoid Montesorri.

Answer 8

Why  not?

Answer 9

That's part of the Montessori approach, and it's just fine. And I'm not a Montessori fan .