https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 03 Aug 2026 21:38:26 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-917199 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 19:01:44 +0000 immabeetoo 917199@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Colee: interesting, thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-915411 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 11:35:45 +0000 littlek 915411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went to Montessori through elementary school. My parents started me out in public school (kindergarten) but was very disappointed with the teachers so pulled me out. I LOVED montessori school. I loved that it was self paced. My neighbor sends their son to Montessori and he loves it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-915184 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 10:43:05 +0000 citymouse 915184@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Colee: VERY helpful, thank you. This is far off, but I should be able to ask the schools we interview how they handle these gaps, right? I do know that the local one we *think* we like does a good job with incorporating technology. They should have a sufficient answer because its a common "problem"? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-915147 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 10:30:32 +0000 looch 915147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think people in general aren't familiar with how the program came to be...which could explain why some of the things we think are essential to teach to kids aren't included. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-915133 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 10:27:51 +0000 Colee 915133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@citymouse: </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/filling-in-the-gaps-for-elementary-6-9-montessori.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/filling-in-the-gaps-for-elementary-6-9-montessori.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-915120 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 10:24:15 +0000 Colee 915120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@citymouse: Maria Montessori never made specific lesson plans or materials for the area of measurement. Other areas not included in traditional Montesorri curriculum include, word problems, telling time, money, graphing, and many more. We supplement our curriculum with non- Montessori materials, but we try to use the materials in a Montessori way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-915072 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 10:09:50 +0000 808love 915072@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Colee: Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-915059 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 10:04:56 +0000 Colee 915059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@808love: I like to use a simple, 12 inch ruler that only measures inches (no centimeters, no 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 inches). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-915031 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 09:54:28 +0000 808love 915031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Colee: Did you use a special kind of ruler, measuring tape or just a basic one? I'd love to re-create it for home. I only ask b/c we use special scissors that I never knew were created for little hands (and spring open automatically). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-914923 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 09:29:28 +0000 looch 914923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: awesome, thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-914847 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 09:12:49 +0000 citymouse 914847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Love reading all of this! </p> <p>@Colee: interesting. I dont know very much ab Montessori curriculum, but why isnt that sort of thing included? Learning to measure I mean. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-914842 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 09:11:53 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 914842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Here is one pretty good article looking at 12 different classrooms:<br /> <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22656079" rel="nofollow">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22656079</a>, full text: <a href="http://faculty.virginia.edu/ASLillard/PDFs/Lillard%20%282012%29.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://faculty.virginia.edu/ASLillard/PDFs/Lillard%20%282012%29.pdf</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-914804 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 09:00:06 +0000 Colee 914804@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@scg00387: During Montessori training, we had to create math "extensions" for skills that weren't addressed in the traditional lesson plans we were taught. I chose the area measurement. I made a simple work, with a ruler and a basket full of varying objects. The child would measure the objects on the tray. Another was a measurement scavenger hunt. I had chart with pictures of common classroom objects. Students would seek out the different objects and then measure and compare them. </p> <p>For some areas, it was easy to create extensions and new lessons. Other areas require more thought and planning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-914755 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:40:46 +0000 looch 914755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: I am very curious to read these papers you're referencing. If you have time and you can share, I'd be greatful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-914738 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 08:37:16 +0000 Alivoo01 914738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Neither of us went to a Montessori, but we plan on sending DS to one. The pricing is comparable or even cheaper than daycare! Once DS becomes of school age, he'll go to public schools and then go to the Montessori for after school care if DH isn't home yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-914519 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 06:57:48 +0000 jillybean218 914519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I want to send our kids to a Montessori school so bad, but DH thinks it's all "rainbows and mushrooms" (exact words).</p> <p>I think kids can excel in public school (I did) but I see some of my nieces and nephews, and they do the work they need to do and they're done. With standardized testing becoming the main focus in our state (Virginia), I'm not surprised but I want my kids to love learning/school the way I did! Or at least, have the chance to... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-914484 Tue, 09 Jul 2013 06:11:43 +0000 heartonastring 914484@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went to Montessori from age three to age nine. My school was set up in a unique way, it was a K-12 private school, and they offered two options for elementary school: Montessori or more traditional elementary school. In grade five, we were combined (and stayed combined until graduation) into one more traditional school setting. It made it quite interesting, as over the years you could compare the relative success to those students who went to Montessori versus those who didn't. In my year, the Montessori students seemed to outpace the non-Montessori students for a few years, but after that it all kind of evened out.</p> <p>As for my personal experience, I absolutely loved Montessori and thrived in that setting. However, my teachers described me as the perfect personality for Montessori as I was naturally very independent and curious...so it's kind of a chicken and the egg thing as to whether I excelled because of Montessori or whether I would have regardless of the educational model. My brother, on the other hand, hated Montessori, and my parents eventually switched him over to the more traditional elementary option, which proved to be a better fit for him. We will definitely be exploring Montessori as an option for DD. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-914383 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 23:33:24 +0000 LaineysMom 914383@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went to a Montessori preschool and loved it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-914380 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 23:31:37 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 914380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Colee: I agree that there are mixed findings (especially because many of the studies look at non-classical) but my understanding (and maybe I'm off here) was that in meta analyses looking at classical Montessori versus all other kids that differences persist for those kids when controlling for all other factors. I'll have to re-read the papers to make sure, but if I recall, that was what the research showed when we were looking in to different approaches to schooling our girls.</p> <p>I probably won't pull papers tonight (and im actually starting to doubt my memory here) but I do appreciate your thoughtful feedback (and i very much agree with you about finding the philosophy that will work for your family-- my sister's kids are waldorf kids, and it is so perfect for them!) and hopefully I can re-educate myself in the coming days!</p> <p>Love this dialog. You give lots of food for thought. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-914379 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 23:30:47 +0000 sarac 914379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did Montessori until sixth grade - and it played a huge part in shaping my personality. My husband and I had been together for some time before we realized that we'd both been montessori children. His mother is a montessori teacher, and will be home schooling our daughter in it until she goes to grade school - for which I feel so lucky. </p> <p>I think that it was a crucial part in making me a curious person who absolutely adores learning. I went to public school starting from 7th grade, and it wasn't nearly as good. I was lucky, and went to very good public schools, so I was able to get a good education. But I wish that I had been able to continue in montessori through middle school, at least. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-914354 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 22:54:10 +0000 Colee 914354@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: I don't think there have been any conclusive studies that prove Montessori kids out pace their non-Montessori peers. There have been studies that show mixed results or that Montessori kids really don't fare better than traditionally educated kids. There have also been studies that do show Montessori students excel compared their peers. But these studies are usually based on one school's success, not Montessori educated children in general. There has never been a study that shows that one type of education is better than all others, otherwise that's what we would all be doing. Rather, parents need to decide which philosophy they identify with and which fits the needs of their children. Some kids may thrive in a independent, student led Montessori program, while others may need more structure. I think Montessori education is wonderful, but I don't think it is the only way to successfully teach children.</p> <p>These are just my opinions. I am by no means an expert. I'm only speaking from my own experience. Also understand that I come from a public school background too, which is unfortunately very test and score driven. We have common core standards that we must teach to and the Montessori curriculum alone is unable to meet each of these standards. I have spent the last six years trying to balance a Montessori classroom within a public school district. My coworkers and I have spent hours debating what is best for our kids, pure Montessori or Montessori supplemented with other curriculums. I really don't know the answer! </p> <p>I do know that Montessori is beneficial to so many children! I love that it is child-centered! I love that my students are incredibally independent, focused, and in charge of their own learning. I love the beautiful environment and materials. And I love that Montessori classroom creates peaceful children. I have observed classrooms in traditional schools within my district and I have noticed how much more calm and caring my students are compared to the other students. There a many positives to Montessori and it easy to see why so many people are so enthusiastic about the philosophy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-913973 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 19:40:07 +0000 immabeetoo 913973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Colee: Could you give me some examples of 'works' you've created to fill in gaps? I'm asking in 100% earnest; I've just been reading some Montessori texts and am curious! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-913958 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 19:28:47 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 913958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Colee: I just find it interesting that kids in classical Montessori are still out pacing their colleagues who are getting that more up to date teaching. Why do you think that is? Do you think it's going to flip at some point and the Montessori kids won't show the same benefit? I'm genuinely curious because it seems like you know a lot about the topic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-913912 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 19:00:22 +0000 Colee 913912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@citymouse: Technology is a huge piece. I've met many Montessori teachers, especially in private schools that don't want or allow technology in the classroom or they highly limit it. I don't think technology should be the main focus of a classroom, but it is a very important aspect of learning today. </p> <p>Also, I think kids need to know a lot more than they used to 100 years ago. If I as a teacher adhere to a pure Montessori curriculum, my students will have gaps in their education. There are many skills that kids need today, that Maria didn't create lessons for. I try to fill those gaps by creating my own Montessori "works."</p> <p>@Mrs. Jacks: I agree that maintaining a classical Montessori environment is important for effectiveness, but I believe updates do need to be made in order to meet the needs of today's children. It think that Maria Montessori was such an innovator, that if she were alive today I think she would be constantly creating new lessons and materials to meet the needs of kids, while keeping with the core fundamentals of Montessori education. Unfortunately, she is no longer with us, so updates aren't being made and Montessori education is somewhat stagnant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-913866 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 18:27:12 +0000 Mrs. Pen 913866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@citymouse: I think that, given my desire to work/finish my education, I will enroll my child in school. I hope that by preschool age we can afford montessori! After that, I hope that we can afford to live in a good school district. If not, I'm not sure what we'll do. So at this point we're planning on public school. Of course if I feel my son isn't excelling, I would be willing to try and homeschool, if possible. I just don't think I have the patience that is required to be a SAHM AND home educator! My husband is the teacher in our family and he would be a lot better at it ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-913853 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 18:16:37 +0000 citymouse 913853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Colee: When you say they haven't kept up with the times, what do you mean? Technology? Extracurriculars? As far as I have researched, there are no public Montessori's in our area. If we do decide to homeschool, I really hope to for it to be "Montessori!" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-913851 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 18:14:53 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 913851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was a Montessori kid (preschool). Some of my best childhood memories are of my school. I remember being pulled out for KG and hating it. They put me right back in. I went to a different (but similar philosophy) private school after kindergarten.</p> <p>I think they don't update classical Montessori with the times because all the studies show that classical is most effective. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-913848 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 18:11:27 +0000 Colee 913848@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh my, prepare for a novel...</p> <p>I went to a Montessori school for preschool. My kindergarten year I did a half day at a public school and half day at a Montessori. After that, I went to regular public school. All my Montessori memories are positive and I do remember thinking public kindergarten was easy and kind of boring, because I had already learned how to read and I was doing higher level math work at my Montessori school.</p> <p>For the past six years, I have taught in the primary program (3-6 year olds) at a public Montessori school in a low income, low achieving school district. I think Montessori education is wonderful for 3-6 year olds, but I'm not convinced that it is as beneficial for first graders oand up. I think many, but not all Montessori schools are so focused on being "pure" Montessori, the way it has been done for the last century, that they have not updated with the times and do not provide children with all the skills needed in today's world (again not all Montessori schools are like this, but some are).</p> <p>From my experience in education, I've observed that the "type" of education a child recieves is far less important than the quality of the school and the teachers. Schools that provide a variety of enriching experiences, in addition to high quality literacy and math intruction are crucial. And having teachers that are highly qualified and love their jobs helps too. I also think that kids that come from families that value education will most likely excel in any type of school the are put in, as long as it is a quality school.</p> <p>I'm not yet a parent, but if I have the opportunity and funds to send my own children to a Montessori school for preschool, I will. I also plan on incorporating Montessori techniques and ideas into my own home. Maria Montessori was an incredible women and I think she truly understood how a child's mind works. Young children are capable of so much more than we think and I believe that the Montessori environment allows children to reach high levels of focus and independence. </p> <p>Whew that was a lot! I hope I answered some of your questions. I would recommend looking into public Montessori schools in your area since they are affordable or often free. I also have heard of a few homeschool moms that have created mini-Montesorri classrooms in their own homes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-913734 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 17:29:24 +0000 citymouse 913734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: What will you/have you chosen for education for your kids? With homeschooling, did you family employ any Montessori style education? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/were-you-a-montessori-kid#post-913710 Mon, 08 Jul 2013 17:20:22 +0000 Mrs. Pen 913710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I nannyed for a family that sent their daughter to montessori and it was such a positive experience that I fell in love with it as well!</p> <p>Oh, and I was homeschooled, and had a really positive experience too! Feel free to ask me any questions if you want :) </p>