https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:35:24 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method/page/2#post-341880 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:58:02 +0000 shinystraps 341880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are there not many Montessori public schools? I truthfully don't know enough about the method to have an opinion either way, but I know there are several public Montessori schools nearby, and my best friend has taught at a public Montessori school in another state. I guess I just assumed that there were both public and private Montessori schools, but maybe that's not common? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method/page/2#post-341867 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:50:33 +0000 Mrs. Cowgirl 341867@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i think the montessori method has many, many merits and is wonderful for many children, especially young children. i will say, though, that i have observed that primary grade children (grades k-2) who move to public school from montessori often have difficulty transitioning because of the more stringent schedules, etc. in a traditional school setting. of course, they eventually learn to adjust, but it's interesting to note. i would love to send lil' CB to a montessori preschool, but alas, the cost is not so fun. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method/page/2#post-341839 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:25:04 +0000 banana 341839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs.jacks: Ah. Thanks for that info. When I asked the preschool director, she said they have montessori hour and everything else is more academic in nature. So maybe I misunderstood her! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-341828 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:01:52 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 341828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@banana: With respect to the Montessori hour, they may be referring to this (for the younger kids 18 months to 3 years, it maybe only is an hour?)</p> <p>"The Three-hour Work Period". In the three-six class there is one (sometimes two if it is a full-day schedule) 3-hour, uninterrupted, work period each day not interrupted by group activity. The "3-hour Work Period" is vital to the success of Montessori education and often misunderstood. It means that children have three hours to choose and carry out their own work. It does NOT include any required outside play, group story time "circle time," music, or any other activities which take time away from the child's own choice of activity. During this time adults and children alike respect a child's concentration and do not interrupt one who is busy at a task. All of the traditional group activities spontaneously arise according to the interest of the child or a group of children during the day, or are occasionally called by the teacher if necessary. Note: For more information on the "three-hour work period" see the chapter "My Contribution to Experimental Science" from The Advanced Montessori Method, Volume I, by Dr. Maria Montessori, or contact the Michael Olaf Montessori Company at <a href="mailto:michaelola@aol.com">michaelola@aol.com</a> for reprint GB850 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-341815 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:50:15 +0000 banana 341815@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm definitely more interested in the Montessori method after researching this past weekend. Does anyone have any good books they recommend for creating a Montessori environment in the home? There are a few montessori schools in my area but they don't seem "montessori"ish at all! They have montessori hour but wouldn't a montessori school be all day montessori? The "true" montessori preschools are SO expensive! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-339771 Sat, 13 Oct 2012 21:05:12 +0000 daniellemybelle 339771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a huge fan of Montessori. The research backs it up, bottom line. One of the things that really bothers me about our education system in the US is that it is set up for the convenience of adults, and we retro-fit children into it. Montessori is centered around the child. </p> <p>I've heard that kids need to learn how to work in groups or function within normal society, but everyone I've met that went to Montessori school is perfectly capable of that, so I don't think that's an issue.</p> <p>Having said that, if we are able to afford Montessori at all, we will probably switch our LOs to public school at 1st grade, after they've completed the Primary 3 year cycle. At that point, I think they will have a good foundation from Montessori, but it's just cost-prohibitive long-term, sadly. Of course, it totally depends on the individual kid too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-338804 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 15:12:03 +0000 however briefly 338804@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrscb: There are TONS of blogs and books out there and I could literally sit here and type up a huge list but I'll spare you and give you my two favorites. The book I go back to the most for ages birth to three years old is Montessori From the Start by Paula Polk Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen and the blog that I think does a pretty good overview of what Montessori for the 0-3 age group entails is <a href="http://montessorihomes.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">http://montessorihomes.blogspot.com</a> . All of my focus thus far has been on this age group so I can't give you any good resources for beyond it yet but I'm sure there's lots out there. Just searching 'Montessori' in Amazon books will pull up all the books that I've seen consistently recommended over and over again. Just look for the ones with lots of high reviews! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-338693 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:28:46 +0000 sarac 338693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="http://sewliberated.typepad.com/sew_liberated/2009/04/finnians-montessori-room.html" rel="nofollow">http://sewliberated.typepad.com/sew_liberated/2009/04/finnians-montessori-room.html</a></p> <p>Here is an excellent link to information on a montessori style bedroom. I only learned about montessori in the home recently, which is funny, since I'm such a montessori evangelist. We use a floor bed for my daughter, and have all of her toys/books on low shelves, and she just loves it. It's such a fun way to raise an infant.</p> <p>This room also includes a training potty, which is consistent with montessori in the home. I think that is bizarre, personally, and won't be doing it. There are a ton of awesome parts of the montessori philosophy, and it is really easy to take the parts you love, and leave the rest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-338466 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 13:13:47 +0000 ShootingStar 338466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@however briefly: Do you have some resources for where you could learn more about doing Montessori in the home? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-338445 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 13:05:08 +0000 however briefly 338445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am extremely surprised that everyone has only talked about Montessori as in schools and not anything to do with Montessori in the home. I am a huge believer in Montessori and I think that many parents put their kids into a Montessori school and expect them to immediately excel in that environment (or conversely are skeptical) and yet make no effort to back up that experience in the home by letting them sit in front of the tv for hours or play video games, etc. </p> <p>That being said, I'm actually leaning more towards homeschooling and public school mix (i.e. a year of homeschooling and then a year or two of public schooling and then homeschooling again possibly) because we move to different countries every couple of years so it fits us best. But I think Montessori is perfect when applied to the home environment and am always surprised that people only think about it as solely a "school" thing. Child development is first and foremost experienced in the home before school is even to be considered. </p> <p>Anyway, as much as I am passionate about Montessori in the home, I am the first to admit that I do not prescribe to every aspect of it and not every aspect fits our particular lifestyle. But still, it is the first child development "method" that has resonated so deeply with me and with every book I read, I only become more and more passionate despite many acquaintances, friends and even family just not quite understanding or even being derisive with me about it. I don't preach about it and only answer when people ask me specific questions regarding it or my opinion on an aspect of child rearing and I still get lots of poorly concealed sneers and eye rolls. So now I've just learned to keep it close to the vest though I suppose that probably applies no matter how you choose to raise your child. There's always someone out there who (passionately) will disagree. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-338406 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:51:05 +0000 mrbee 338406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Great, here's the link to submit a guest blog!</p> <p><a href="http://www.hellobee.com/submit-a-guest-blog/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/submit-a-guest-blog/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-338396 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:48:34 +0000 sarac 338396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: Sure, I'd love to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-338390 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:45:24 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 338390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There is a PUBLIC elementary school by our house that is Montessori. I would love for our LO to go there, but I am sure there is a huge waiting list since it is FREE. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-338389 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:45:19 +0000 mrbee 338389@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sarac: It'd be great for our readers to learn more about the Montessori Method... would you have some time to write a guest blog about your own experience? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-338381 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:43:30 +0000 sarac 338381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Thehistoryofus: Wow, that is such a huge misconception. That is absolutely not the case. Every week (starting in the first grade), I would sit down with my teacher and identify the work I was going to do that week. I got to choose which learning activities I'd do in each subject, but she specified the subjects and number of activities. I had a set number to do each day, and if I didn't finish them I had to stay in from recess. We also had spelling once a week, and math every day, and those we took home as homework. </p> <p>Now, if I finished all of my work, I was free to do whatever art, reading, fun activities there were to do. That happened any time I was motivated enough to work hard, which was rarely, because I am lazy. But it was always an option, as my teacher know how much work to assign me to challenge but not overwhelm me. This was specific to each student. We also had numerous special and fun activities in art, science, math etc that would happen weekly or monthly. </p> <p>It sounds like some people have a really incorrect idea of how the montessori method works. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-338362 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:35:52 +0000 T.H.O.U. 338362@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know my personal perception and I think a lot of others is that the system is just "free play" and "learn if you want to". Obviously I know that there is more to it. I do agree some students may do well in that environment. Plus, the students that are put in those schools are more likely to succeed when transitioning to high school/college but it may just be because they are better learners etc because they can afford the tuition ! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-338353 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:31:10 +0000 mrsjazz 338353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been looking into sending LO to a Montessori school for pre-school, but I wouldn't have her attend beyond that. I am not a fan of the mixed-age setting and both DH and I are proponents of public school beginning with kindergarten. (He's a teacher and we are both great examples of how the public school system works!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-338348 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:28:26 +0000 sarac 338348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know people who don't, and I think it's really sad. My husband and I were both montessori children, and it made us who we are today. Both very curious, self directed, successful people. I do, however, know that lots of children aren't compatible with the method. My husband's brother was really not - his brain just didn't work that way.</p> <p>I'm not really sure what people mean about Montessori schools not having traditional rules. My schools all had normal rules, and normal expectations of work done and concepts learned. I transitioned to public school in the 7th grade and I had no problems in this area.</p> <p>I really enjoyed the many ages in one class room. We were all closely supervised in terms of the work we'd be doing in a day and the things we were learning. I find the idea of a group of children all sitting down at desks being lectured to kind of horrifying. Is that really what happens in a traditional school? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-338330 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:18:56 +0000 MediaNaranja 338330@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: You know, I don't honestly know. She attended Montessori until 5th grade, and said that from that point she never felt caught up in math class. My guess that it was things that are a little more advanced, such as improper fractions, basic algebra, stuff like that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-338136 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 11:16:35 +0000 ScarletJwl 338136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess I am confused as to what skills people think Montessori children don't learn...? I attended Montessori grades 1-5, and I entered my "traditional" school in 6th grade ahead in all of my subjects. All of the other Montessori kids I know did as well. My two youngest sisters attended Montessori through 7th grade and are thriving in high school now, and my brother attended through 9th grade (he went to a Montessori middle school in Ohio) and he did really well in high school - had really good grades, participated in a lot of extra-curricular activities - and is now a senior at Columbia University.</p> <p>If a student did not have to do math, that is a failure on the teacher's part. Math was also my least favorite subject, but I was forced to get a certain amount of each subject done every week.</p> <p>I do agree that Montessori schools (and private schools in general) are too expensive! There are some public schools that are incorporating Montessori programs into some of their kindergarten classes, which I think is really cool.</p> <p>@thehistoryofus - I did get grades. For most subjects they were based on progress and effort as opposed to comparatively to other students. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-338117 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 11:08:19 +0000 Cole 338117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: I found the opposite to be true in regards to the grades at once. Suzy might be great at math but need extra help in reading, she can have all of those needs meet easily in a Montessori classroom- the teacher is well trained to deal with that and the room has materials that meet her where her needs are. Because most lessons are done with small groups or individually each child's education is tailored to them. </p> <p>Also, I have found that Montessori has a strict set of rules for behavior- but as long as you are are working within that box kids get a lot of autonomy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-338112 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 11:06:05 +0000 Honeybee 338112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like the Montessori principles, and I like the classroom setup, especially for younger kids. As our kids get older, though, I would prefer a more traditional pedagogy. We do like the community and spiritual emphases, though, and based on our religious preferences, we'll likely enroll the kids in a private Catholic school instead of a Montessori school. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-338107 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 11:02:39 +0000 Cole 338107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am Montessori trained for 6-9 year olds and I love Montessori. I think that most schools have adjusted their expectations of kids to reflect the need to have certain skills to succeed in life. For example, usually there is a morning meeting during which the class goes over expectations, upcoming events, weather etc. In third grade we teach test taking skills (often there are spelling tests starting in first grade) because many parents will opt to do standardized tests starting that year. Group projects are very common and collaboration is encouraged. </p> <p>Most schools do require kids to complete a "work plan" starting in kindergarten. Depending on the child it might be what they are expected to accomplish in a day or a week. By doing this, you ensure that kids are learning all skills not just the ones they are drawn to. If you have a good teacher or "guide" the Montessori math materials are top notch. When I did my training I had several "aha" moments because they physically illustrate concepts that we typically just teach as abstract ideas. One area the original curriculum is lacking is math facts, I found that was something we just had to get kids to memorize because the materials that teach them would have to get used a ton for them to really stick.</p> <p>I am happy to answer any questions if anyone is curious! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-338095 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 10:53:31 +0000 Mrsbells 338095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not really a fan, especially once they get to be 6 years and older and have to start "Real" school from 1st grade and up. I dont like having many people of the different ages in the same class. Because children have different educational needs at different ages and lumping them all together doesnt serve them well. I also think that once kids from 1st grade and older do need stricter rules governing their social and educational behavior. Thats part of what school is for. Because in the end, they will be living and interacting with other people in the real world who dont go to the monterssori schools and there are rules in the real world </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-338080 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 10:47:09 +0000 T-Mom 338080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have DD and LO in Montessori pre-school/day care. They actually start the principles starting as infants, which sounds crazy but it just means that they teach them about a work cycle and cultivate the "absorbant mind" etc etc.. At the pre-school level I have been really pleased. But I plan to put both kids in public school starting at Kinder. I have talked to a few people who had trouble adjusting to public school after being in Montessori up to 4th grade for example. Apparently it could be a rough transition to all the rules when you are used to being able to get up and do whatever you want. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-337939 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 09:49:06 +0000 ladyfingers 337939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rock n Roll: LOL exactly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-337938 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 09:48:53 +0000 ladyfingers 337938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know much about it, but there are no actual Montessori schools in our town so it's a moot point. Some of it makes me kind of roll my eyes, and I feel like it's extremely overpriced just because it can be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-337921 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 09:42:52 +0000 Rock n Roll 337921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have a problem with it, but I read a quote the other day where Maria Montessori said she thought she could achieve world peace in two generations if she were allowed to educate all the world's children with her methods. I just thought, "Maybe if your schools didn't cost 13 grand a year, you could educate all the world's children!" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-337896 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 09:33:16 +0000 mrbee 337896@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MediaNaranja: what kind of math wasn't covered for your friend... basics of arithmetic, or improper fractions and stuff like that? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-any-of-your-momsdads-not-agree-with-the-montessori-method#post-337851 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 09:19:53 +0000 T.H.O.U. 337851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does older grades of Montessori give grades? </p>