I am looking for opinions on a Montessori curriculum opposed to public schools?
I am trying to enroll my 3yo PA DD in a Montessori for the 2002-2003 school year (only 20 openings). The reasons I liked the school are based on her safety, but I want to make a good decision for her education too. I am thinking of sending her to the school through her elementary years.
The reasons I like the school are: they are located between my house and the hospital (1.5 miles); there is one teacher and 2 assistants for a class of 30 children; there is a "no sugar" policy (even on b-days!); they already have a child with PA & have a no-peanut policy and I met the director and teachers at an open house and felt comfortable with all of them.
Thanks.
Hi!
I sent both my pa kids to Montessori preschool and loved it. They were safe and caring about pa. Learned a lot and are at the top of their class in public elementary school. I highly recommend Montessori, especially for preschool. It teaches self-discipline and each child works at own pace. Classical music and respecting each other is another common thread for montessori.
Good luck!
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From what I remember when I was looking at preschools and private elementary schools for my older son, was that anyone can call themselves Montessori - they are not necessarily accredited by any one organization. I found this out because I was really disappointed at two so-called Montessori schools I looked at.
However, I loved the principles that they educate by, and if you find a great one then by all means, go for it!
Amy
So weird you brought this up...I was just going to post about Montessori's today. I love the philosophy of teaching in a "real" Montessori school. Of course, some just use the name (it is not trademarked) so they can charge 2ce the tuition. But we have visited a local one and it is extraordinary the way these little children are completely self-reliant and sooo interested in learning!
Anyway, the Montessori we are trying to get into is for 3-6 year olds. The director said it is regulated by the Department of Education not Dept. of Human Services like day care. My son was evaluated, but we have not yet revealed the pa. We thought we would wait to see if there is a chance of him getting in first.
My question is, can they discriminate against pa, or as a school do they have to accept the disability? I guess this would apply to all private schools.
Anyone knowledgeable out there?
I have another post going on regarding my two son's being accepted at the Montessori preschool, [url="http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/Forum7/HTML/003024.html"]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/Forum7/HTML/003024.html[/url]
However, I would really like to get more opinions on the Montessori program, the cooking projects and works to find out how other parents with PA kids work with their schools/teachers.
Thank you for your help in advance.
My 3.5 year old has been in a Montessori since he was 2. We looked at many programs here and they are all a little different from each other. Most seemed pretty true to the Montessori concepts with slight variations here and there. One thing to look for is if the teachers are Montessori certified.
We were amazed at the behavior of the children and how the teachers were able to command respect in a very gentle way. Our son has thrived in this enviroment.
Friends of ours who chose a different school (but did chose Montessori for thier girl) did more research than we did on the academics of it all and most studies showed that boys benefit a little bit more than girls from this teaching style. But that both end up ahead of other preschool or teaching methods. I don't have links....we just knew it was right and didn't need studies.
I like the discipline, caring, compassion, and the concepts on how they treat each other, the teachers, the work materials, manners, etc. I just haven't seen this in any other day care or preschool environment.
Our first concern was that the children seemed a bit subdued from what we were used to seeing....but after spending time there I saw that there is a lot of free play and alot of interaction going on. Even loud crazy running around - normal playground stuff. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
We have been very happy with it for our son. He likes things ordered and has a very long attention span so "day care" was like being at a circus for him. This is much much better.
I also like that it is .5 mile away from my office and when they gave him an epi and called 911 - I beat the second group of paramedics to the school.
I don't think it is more expensive that other preschools here.
Another benefit is you will find your child taking out a toy - playing with it - putting it back - and then taking out another one. priceless!
[This message has been edited by Sarahb (edited June 22, 2007).]
Check out the website [url="http://www.naeyc.org"]www.naeyc.org[/url] National Association for the Education of Young Children is the highest accreditation a preschool can get. This website has a lot of information on different methods of teaching. You can also search for approved schools in your area by zip code.
[This message has been edited by PinkPoodle (edited June 22, 2007).]
Our son attended Montessori program (in Canada) and we were delighted with the program. He only went for 1/2 day Kindergarten and 1/2 day "day care" but all was Montessori based in the same facility. He was far ahead of his peer groups when he got to Grade 1. Decision making, independent and work group, music, fine motor, gross motor, daily living (cleaning up, setting the table, cooking, etc.) all were programs that just work for life. We loved it! They were also already equipped to deal with our allergies and had several children in the same boat so it was great. Highly recommended!
Our son is now going into Grade 10. He's been on the honor role ever since he was eliglble (grade 4 to 9 inclusive) and now will be entering the International Baachalariate (I can't spell it but he can) program at a high school not too far from where we live but outside our area school range. Who knows - maybe Montessori gave him what he needed for a quick start - or maybe he's just really smart like his folks [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img].
M
Quote:Originally posted by mharasym:
[b]Our son is now going into Grade 10. He's been on the honor role ever since he was eliglble (grade 4 to 9 inclusive) and now will be entering the International Baachalariate (I can't spell it but he can) program at a high school not too far from where we live but outside our area school range. [/b]
baccalaureate. Pseudonym/fancy way of saying "Bachelor's" if I a correct in recalling. Undergraduate studies.
When I was in a public high school (freshman year high school and the summer prior to it) I was enrolled in what I believe is the same thing: college credit/prerequisite courses prior to actually attending "university". Sorta gets the mundane classes out of the way (core requirements) and saves your parents (or yourself as the case may be) some moola. Largely sponsered/headed/co-chaired by your local community college in partnership with the high school. And no, I never attended a "Montessori" type school either. Just the same ol'same ol. No "Baby Einstein" toys, no special pre-schools, no flash cards...lol...just Sesame Street and Electric Company. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]
oh, and not as advice or anything, just personally, I think many high schools offer this, and most teens (Montessori or not) are ready for "baccalaureate" studies long before they enter college while the material and preparation is still fresh in their heads.....before summer (or the year or maybe more break) they take before attending college proper. Why pay full price? Like "Price Line" for education. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]
Only thing is, rushing children through a college education only brings them that closer to college graduation and the rigors of adulthood long before they (or the rest of the world) are ready to meet and shake hands. Like graduating from highschool early: What are you going to do at 15 anyway? Be turned loose on a college campus? I think many times, "finishing" your child's education way ahead of schedule only opens up free time they definitely don't need. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/tongue.gif[/img] In the end, they probably all find themselves in the same position at age 30. Right at the beginning. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]
Quote:Originally posted by MommaBear:
[b]Like graduating from highschool early: What are you going to do at 15 anyway? Be turned loose on a college campus?[/b]
There are kids for whom high school is a waste of time. They are more likely to stay out of trouble if kept challenged and busy at college. What to do after college? Why, graduate or professional school, of course! Why waste time and be miserably bored when you could be forging ahead, learning interesting things and getting a head start on your career of choice?
I don't see this as rushing the child, rather I see the alternative as holding him back.
Cathy
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Mom to 8 yr old PA/TNA daughter and 4 yr old son who is allergic to eggs.
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