https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 05:03:13 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori/page/2#post-1678398 Wed, 04 Jun 2014 13:19:23 +0000 mrsjyw 1678398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>main ideas yes, but not details... researhing now! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori/page/2#post-1678148 Wed, 04 Jun 2014 12:08:08 +0000 daniellemybelle 1678148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The main reason I would love to send LO to a Montessori preschool is that it is the only kind of preschool that has been proven by research to have a measurable impact. Otherwise there isn't a lot of research that shows that preschool has an impact one way or another.</p> <p>For us, because it is so expensive, I think I would have to visit the individual school &amp; feel like it would be a great fit for our LO. I wouldn't solely choose a Montessori school just because it is more desirable. There are other things that are priority as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori/page/2#post-1678122 Wed, 04 Jun 2014 12:01:34 +0000 Torchwood 1678122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: Montesorri From the Start (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Montessori-Start-Child-Birth-Three-ebook/dp/B001ON78S4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&#038;ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1401901121&#038;sr=1-1&#038;keywords=montessori+from+the+start" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Montessori-Start-Child-Birth-Three-ebook/dp/B001ON78S4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&#038;ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1401901121&#038;sr=1-1&#038;keywords=montessori+from+the+start</a>) And it does use the terms like weaning chair, but it specifically says to start weaning from the breast at 9 months. It does acknowledge that it can take from 4 weeks to a few months to completely wean, so I suppose it's really recommending 10 months to a year, but that's still not okay for me. And it wasn't a "this is a good time to start weaning if you want" type thing, it was a "you must wean or you're totally screwing up." The whole book has come across as way too "do it this way or else" for my tastes, but it does have good information so I'll probably finish it and find another one to read as well so I don't judge all of Montessori by my annoyance with this one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori/page/2#post-1674233 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 21:35:52 +0000 Arden 1674233@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Torchwood: What book said that? I'm not countering you at all because I haven't read that book personally and I don't know for sure what it meant, but I thought it was worth pointing out that in Montesorri lingo, "weaning" means the beginning of the process, ie beginning solids. Sort of like "baby led weaning", it simply means starting your child on the path towards a diet of solid food, not necessarily stopping breastfeeding.<br /> There is even Montesorri furniture called a "weaning chair" and "weaning table", intended to replace the high chair concept.</p> <p>Again I don't know if that's what the book was referring to, I just thought it would be good information to have. I too practice attachment and "gut" parenting first, and there is no way I would entertain the idea of weaning at nine months, so I'm totally with you there. I don't fully subscribe to everything Montesorri teaches but at this point, I haven't found any recommendations that are directly harmful, as that "weaning" advice suggests. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1674216 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 21:22:03 +0000 T-Mom 1674216@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DD just completed early childhood at her Montessori school and graduated Kindergarten. I don't consider myself an expert by any means but we really enjoy our Montessori community. She will probably be going To public first grade next year but I'm so happy with our experience. My DD is in the toddler room and will be moving to walrus childhood this fall. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1673696 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 16:37:59 +0000 Torchwood 1673696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm starting to really research Montessori, and I like a lot of it, but definitely not all. The book I'm currently reading just declares that you must wean at 9 months. Um, no thanks? Attachment parenting is my first love, and my gut is my fallback on deciding between conflicting advice, and I will not wean at 9 months just because a philosophy says I should. </p> <p>That being said, I'm not sure what our options would be if we want to put our LO in a Montessori school, because she's likely to be at least somewhat developmentally delayed. From what I'm reading, I think that Montessori methods will be good for her, as long as I focus on what she is ready to learn, and not on what she's "supposed" to be doing for her age. But I don't know how that translates to sending her to school. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1673625 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 16:06:57 +0000 googly-eyes 1673625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I understand sort of the basics but I'm not "into" it. I think a lt free reasons people give for liking it are not exclusive to Montessori education but more progressive education concepts, which is something I am "into." I prefer not to stick to using an exclusively Montessori or exclusively fill-in-the-blank-curriculum/philosophy. And fwiw I think ALL good early learning experiences should be child led. (Eta with adults "scaffolding" through interactions and adults manipulating the environment in various ways...) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1673565 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 15:41:45 +0000 Mrs. Grizzly Bear 1673565@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: @yoursilverlining: @Charm54: I will definitely be looking at diversity when I tour the school with DS in the near future. I don't want to stick him in a cloning factory, even if I value the teaching style. Thanks for mentioning this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1673468 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 14:51:31 +0000 blackbird 1673468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs pen, Montessori and Goddard are almost double the coat of regular daycare centers here. Even the other educational ones. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1673459 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 14:46:04 +0000 Charm54 1673459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Arden: @yoursilverlining: yeah it's a bummer, it's become very white/upper class around here, which is sad because I think it probably diverts from the original vision Maria Montessori had! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1673312 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:44:13 +0000 yoursilverlining 1673312@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don’t really know that much about it, but I also have not done much research. We’re very happy with our center which goes to pre-K. </p> <p>Regarding the expense, at least around here, there is no such thing as true/real full time Montessori. So while the “full time” tuition isn’t that much more than our current center, you would still need to arrange for care during a standard 40-hour work week situation, and shell out that additional expense. </p> <p>@Charm54: That's definitely true around here too. It's like any private school really - you mostly only see upper class whites. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1673296 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:38:53 +0000 Sparkler 1673296@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@californiadreams: I think it just depends on the area and the particular school. I have found with most preschools, the price corresponds to the ratio of teachers to kids, the quality of the facility and the price of real estate in the area (like you would expect!). In my area, Montessori has better ratios than other preschools, which I think accounts for the higher price. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1673273 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:34:00 +0000 californiadreams 1673273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am curious about the expensive thing. in my area, the Montessori has a daycare there too for the toddlers - and the daycare is the same price as any daycare in my area, even cheaper than some. So will the price increase for the preschool program? Are the preschool programs more expensive than the daycare in the same school? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1673252 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:29:52 +0000 Arden 1673252@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Charm54: That's unfortunate. :( I don't think that's true of Montessori itself though, just certain schools. It was originally developed specifically for special needs children.</p> <p>My Montessori school was very diverse, but it was a diverse area so that's probably why. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1673236 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 13:26:51 +0000 Charm54 1673236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I "get it", but it's not for me. </p> <p>Our local montessori is not very diverse or inclusive... Pretty much all white, upper class, "typical" (in the sense of no special needs) children. For me, it's more important to have my daughter in a diverse classroom so we will do a regular daycare/public school. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1673104 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 12:58:52 +0000 Mrs. Grizzly Bear 1673104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>After doing a quick Amazon search I came across two books by Maria Montessori in Kindle format for free! "The Absorbant Mind" and "Dr. Montessori's Own Handbook". Anyone else have any suggested reading? :)</p> <p>ETA: Oooo "Spontaneous Activity in Education" was also a free Kindle book. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1672870 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:59:02 +0000 MrsTiz 1672870@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>All I know is that it's expensive and all of their furniture is on the floor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1672839 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:50:05 +0000 Mrs. Grizzly Bear 1672839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@grizz: Lol, since starting this post I actually went back to some of the older Montessori blog posts on here? And started pulling together a list of things that I could get off Etsy to make my own Montessori toys. You know me too well ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1672832 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:48:03 +0000 Boheme 1672832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is not old enough for any of our local Montessori programs, but we implement a lot of their practices at home. As crafty as you are, I bet you already do more Montessori-type activities than you know :) I agree with @mrbee: that a study on Maria Montessori would best explain it all to you. I used to teach Montessori, and my 10 second description would be that it is a child-led learning experience that fosters creative thinking and independence. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1672830 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:47:46 +0000 Mrs. Grizzly Bear 1672830@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: This academy starts off at 18 months old and actually continues on til grade 6. Hubs said that he'd be willing to keep the kids in the school for that school so long as it was what was best for them. If it stopped being a good fit, we'd discuss other options but he likes a lot of the concepts. Like @Arden: said, it sounds like a place of mutual respect of the individual and learning instead of so stiff. Structured but not unbending.</p> <p>@Arden: I think he'll be delighted to know that perspective, thank you! We don't know anyone else who has participated or enrolled their child in the Montessori method so it'll be interesting to see what happens! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1672826 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:45:53 +0000 autumnlove 1672826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just a bit that I've picked up on the boards and blog. I know kids tend to sleep on mattresses on the floor and have stuff at eye level. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1672815 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:42:52 +0000 Arden 1672815@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went to Montissori from age 2-4. :) I absolutely loved it, and I actually remember some pretty good snippets from it.</p> <p>I remember feeling like it was a place of mutual respect, the teachers required us to be respectful but they were also very respectful to us.<br /> They trusted us and allowed us to have responsibilities, which made me feel very proud if myself at age 4. :P I remember being in charge of cutting up bananas with a butter knife and serving them to the class. </p> <p>We had dolls with zippers, buttons, snaps, and ties to help us learn how to use all the fasteners and that helped me learn to dress myself very young.</p> <p>We also had people come in for special events and teach us skills, one time I remember we had a florist come in and teach us how to arrange flowers. I loved that!</p> <p>I'm a huge fan of Montessori. If we could afford it I'd put her in part time until we move overseas. We try to use as many montissori concepts in our home as we can though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1672787 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:32:10 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1672787@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's crazy how all of you are saying how much more expensive it is... It's a difference of about $150/month in my area. It's still a big difference, but definitely not 2 or 3x the price.</p> <p>The way I understand it is that it's more child-led not teacher-led. There are still things like circle time, but independence is encouraged. My nanny girl went to a montessori preschool so I saw a lot of it firsthand. I was definitely amazed at the things 3 and 4 year olds could do there. She was able to do different "work", such as puzzles, or sorting games, etc. The room was designed super cool - many different child height bookshelves that were organized with different activities and projects. The kids were allowed a set amount of free-work-time when they could choose an activity and do it on their own, or with other kids. There was a huge respect aspect of the school that I noticed. I really liked the teachers and philosophies there and the little girl thrived. I think it can be a good thing.</p> <p>We will likely keep J as his daycare preschool though since they offer it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1672775 Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:26:36 +0000 Mrs. Grizzly Bear 1672775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Reviving!</p> <p>Hubs started asking me questions about the local Montessori academy this weekend. I had mentioned possibly enrolling P back in December/January. This is the first time since we got back the tuition total that we've discussed it but he seems really on board! I'd like to be able to tell him more about what to expect to make sure what he <i>thinks</i> Montessori should be like really is what it'll be like. </p> <p>I've already contacted the school again since DS will be right in that in-between stage - he could start in Toddler room but it would be for a few months or he could go straight into Primary, depending on his age/skills/etc (I'm assuming??). It'll be interesting to see how this pans out :) I'm excited! Can you tell? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1651955 Thu, 22 May 2014 12:31:42 +0000 Silva 1651955@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm somewhat familiar, but mostly because I'm pretty familiar with Waldorf philosophy and the two often get lumped together. I would say that while there are many differences, the main goal of fostering independence by treating a child with the dignity/respect of anyone else is something both share.</p> <p>That said, we practice "waldorf-light" around here, and some of our choices don't "fit." I mostly believe in doing what works for your family and your child. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1651909 Thu, 22 May 2014 12:21:16 +0000 littlek 1651909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Adira: I actually don't think it's crunchy. I'm probably the least crunchy person on HB and we plan on sending LO to montessori. We choose montessori because it really treats LO like an independent person, which is what he wants to be. He is able to self stimulate and is not forced to be part of the group which is emphasized in daycare. I went to montessori as well. I feel like montessori is not for everyone. We choose montessori because LO picks up things very fast and at montessori he can move at his own level and is not stuck doing what his peer group is doing, he does what he wants based on his skill level. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1651881 Thu, 22 May 2014 12:05:05 +0000 Mrs. Grizzly Bear 1651881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: Thanks for explaining that part to me! I was wondering...</p> <p>@pui: I may have to invest in that book, see if it'd give me any ideas for DS. He's just blossomed so much in the past few months I feel like I should encourage it as much as possible but I'm struggling.</p> <p>@Cole: Teach me more, sensei. Right now our biggest thing is art, books, letters, and learning new words. He just hit his language explosion about two months ago and is mastering new words every day. I want to continue to challenge him not offer him the same thing over and over again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1651420 Thu, 22 May 2014 10:04:27 +0000 mrbee 1651420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NaturallyCathy: Montessori teachers are very much in demand, and so the cost of teachers is much higher than the cost of a daycare provider. </p> <p>As a result, the Montessori schools I've visited talk about their program less as a form of daycare, and more as a supplement to whatever your kid is doing now (like staying home with a parent, or being with a nanny). One Montessori school said that they don't usually provide all day programs because the cost to the parents would be prohibitive, and parents can usually arrange for daycare cheaper on their own. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1651379 Thu, 22 May 2014 09:55:16 +0000 looch 1651379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the best place to begin is to learn about Dr. Montessori and understand how and why she developed the approaches that she did. Once you understand that, it is a lot easier to understand the concepts of sensitive periods and work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-feel-like-you-understand-montessori#post-1651366 Thu, 22 May 2014 09:52:45 +0000 Cole 1651366@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NaturallyCathy: A big component is observing each child as an individual and helping them to master the skills they are currently working on and then providing chances to move onto the next skill. This applies to areas like practical life, sensorial, writing, reading, geometry, math etc. Even at 3 they will "work" in all of these areas. Practical life is an easy one to implement at home, think about what tasks your lo can almost do independently and then think about how to change the environment to facilitate success. If your lo can put their PJs on with out help but can't reach the drawer they are kept in you put them somewhere else or provide a stool and show them how to safely use it. At 3 you might scoff at the idea of doing writing work but a big part at that age is getting them familiar with left to right, top to bottom. The entire classroom environment will be set up in this way, every shelf starts with the easiest work on the top left the hardest on the bottom right, the trays of work have the materials laid out in order of how they are used etc. Hand strength is another huge element of teaching a child to write so many activities focus on that. Every element in a classroom was very carefully considered and nothing was randomly selected right down to which color of paints were put out. </p>