https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 05 May 2026 01:38:02 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on-montessori-pre-schools#post-1528523 Fri, 28 Mar 2014 07:43:21 +0000 tinyperson 1528523@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're debating sending S to montessori preschool instead of JK. Because she's a December baby, she'll be 3.5 when she starts school - in a class with 25-30 other kids, and no naptime. It's a long day of learning for someone that young. I think we'll evaluate how she is closer to that time, but montessori might be a good bridging year between daycare and public school. We'll have to do some research. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on-montessori-pre-schools#post-1528499 Fri, 28 Mar 2014 07:30:44 +0000 looch 1528499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know this is an older post, but the day is usually structured around two 3 hour work periods, in which kids can do an activity that they have been given a presentation on. Preschoolers usually have a shortened day, so there's only one work period, but a circle time in the beginning of the class and then possibly snack, and then the work period.</p> <p>For example, let's say Johnny is really interested in doing the activity with the pink stacking blocks. He isn't supposed to just go over and select the tray, he's supposed to be given a presentation on what the activity is. Once the teacher has done the presentation, he is free to choose that activity and complete it as many times as he wants. There are some activities that have extensions, which also require a presentation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on-montessori-pre-schools#post-1501798 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 14:02:19 +0000 Mrs. Bee 1501798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: Charlie never went to preschool. He was in a daycare for 2 years then went straight to public pre-k. Olive has been at that same daycare for the past year and will be there until this summer. Then a year in her new preschool and hopefully public pre-k if she can get a slot! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on-montessori-pre-schools#post-1501789 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 13:59:42 +0000 T-Mom 1501789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: wow! very cool. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on-montessori-pre-schools#post-1501771 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 13:55:20 +0000 Freckles 1501771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T-Mom: When we got there, the kids were all learning a Korean dance for their Spring show! They all looked like they were having fun to me. :) </p> <p>@Andrea: Ahh, that makes sense!</p> <p>@Mrs. Bee: Did you end up enrolling her in the school that Charlie went to? Or will that be for a future post? :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on-montessori-pre-schools#post-1501745 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 13:50:08 +0000 T-Mom 1501745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: I have heard that some people are actually kind of freaked out by the "intensity" of the classroom and wonder if the kids are having fun at all! But literally I have to tear my DD away every day (but she does cry when I drop her off sometimes, haha). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on-montessori-pre-schools#post-1501714 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 13:45:21 +0000 Mrs. Bee 1501714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We tried to enroll Olive in a Montessori school this fall but could only get a part-time placement so we had to pass. We were so impressed with how well-behaved and independent the children were. Overall a big fan of Montessori! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on-montessori-pre-schools#post-1501685 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 13:40:52 +0000 Andrea 1501685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ditto everything @T-Mom said. DD started at 3. </p> <p>Montessori educators believe in the 3 year cycle which gives the child enough time to build a stable learning environment in one place. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on-montessori-pre-schools#post-1501681 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 13:40:17 +0000 Freckles 1501681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T-Mom: @Mrs. Pen: I was really impressed by how well-behaved the kids were, and how quietly they did work. I didn't see any kids wandering around, and they were doing a table-based activity once they were done their "work". It was such a contrast to the preschool room at LO's daycare! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on-montessori-pre-schools#post-1501647 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 13:34:07 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1501647@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@plantains: @swurlygurl: @Freckles: we live just outside what most would consider the suburbs (nearly an hour from downtown), so that is likely why. If you go even 10-15 miles south, I bet the price of Montessori's goes up by a bit. </p> <p>@Freckles: I think some might say that because it's child led, not teacher led as much as a traditional preschool might be. When I observed my nanny girl, there were times she would finish one project and wish to move on to another. In that sense, it was independent enough to allow her the freedom to roam to different activities. But there is structure in that, they may only have that "free time" for say an hour, but afterwards might be circle time, lunch, clean up etc. I like how they incorporate the kids into every aspect such as food preparation and clean up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on-montessori-pre-schools#post-1501642 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 13:33:10 +0000 T-Mom 1501642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: She is in early childhood, which is age 3-6, so maybe that's the 3 year program you are talking about? She's finishing up early childhood this year and we will probably put her in public first grade next year. I think there could be a potential for the kids to wander if they aren't being supervised, but when I go to visit, everyone is very focused and the teacher keeps them on track... I think some of the littler kids have more trouble focusing, though, since they are only 3. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on-montessori-pre-schools#post-1501591 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 13:24:39 +0000 Freckles 1501591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: $800 is amazing!</p> <p>@T-Mom: Is she doing the 3 year program? Do you know why people say that in Montessori they "just do whatever they want" and make it seem like they're just wandering aimlessly around the room? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on-montessori-pre-schools#post-1501546 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 13:17:54 +0000 T-Mom 1501546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DD is in a Montessori pre-school (she is technically a Kindergartener) and we like it a lot for her. It's structured in a sense that she has certain "work" that she needs to accomplish, and her teachers work to create her daily work plan. But the work is done independently and at her pace. Her school has an extended day program which is essentially day care after 3pm when class is over, and the school has an infant and toddler care attached as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on-montessori-pre-schools#post-1501460 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 12:54:21 +0000 swurlygurl 1501460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: $800/month?? That's amazing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on-montessori-pre-schools#post-1501450 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 12:52:37 +0000 plantains 1501450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: sounds amazing! I know COL varies, but wow $800. Amazing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on-montessori-pre-schools#post-1501442 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 12:50:52 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1501442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My nanny girl went to Montessori school so I saw it forehand for a year and I was impressed! It's a great program and tho I thought it was expensive at the time, the one in my area is $800 with extended daycare included. That is the price of most daycare centers without the preschool portion added in! </p> <p>It was very structured, but also child led. The teachers are very in tune to each child's individual interests and abilities and tailors the curriculum to that. They teach a lot of independence and problem solving. There were some four and five year olds doing multiplication because they weren't held by age defined curriculum, they could go at their own pace and work on what was interesting to them. And for preschool, that, I think, is key. They don't need homework or being forced to learn yet- but someone to encourage what they love, and their imaginations and abilities. This particular Montessori seemed to capitalize on that. I will definitely be considering them for next year when J starts preschool! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-are-your-thoughts-on-montessori-pre-schools#post-1501424 Tue, 18 Mar 2014 12:45:52 +0000 Freckles 1501424@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does anyone have any experience with them? I'm not talking about Montessori daycares, but programs starting at the pre-school level. </p> <p>I know not all Montessori schools are the same. The one we are looking at firmly practice the Montessori principles. They have a very comprehensive program, and i was actually surprised at how structured the program was. I think many have the belief that Montessori schools are not structured. Is this true?</p> <p>Also, does it all depend on your child (whether or not they'll do well or like it)? </p>