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For me, I think it depends on the age group. Its not that I don't agree with it, I don't agree with parts of it at certain times (and I'm not well researched enough to really go into detail).

For younger ages (especially before kindergarten) I can appreciate the "discovery" method, but I do believe kids need to learn things.

I guess I kinda believe that at a certain age, you need to learn rules, and how to do things as part of a group. I think its just the way that society functions and therefore kids need to learn those things.

I work at a Montessori school and really enjoy it! I do believe in the method BUT I know there are LOTS of kids out there who are really not made for Montessori. I don't believe it works for every child, there are lots of kids out there who need more structure among other things that I've noticed.

I am looking forward to putting my toddler in a Montessori school next year, and I feel like it is fantastic for children exploring school. But, it does make me weary the older the students are. I don't know if I would keep her in it past first grade, because there are just certain things kids have to learn, regardless of whether they like it or not.

@Arden: Well, thats just our difference of opinion then. I was public schooled and have never had trouble interacting with people of other age groups.

My siblings and I all attended Montessori schools when we were younger, and my sister is currently training to be a Montessori teacher. I think it is awesome, but we can't afford to send our LO to a private school. I am hoping to incorporate some of the Montessori ideas at home. One of my favorite things for the little kids, is that it teaches them to do things for themselves.

There are definitely rules involved; particularly how you do each thing, such as wipe down a table or roll up your mat. I actually think sometimes they are a bit much, but I guess at that young age they need the guidance. Also, there were many times where I did have to work in a group - and I have to say that my siblings and I all work really well with others now.

I'm learning a bit about it as I go, mostly from the blogs. From what I can see, the main problem I have is that traditional Montessori doesn't seem to leave much room for creative, messy, unstructured play. This is something I think is so important for children. Now, I have seen a lot of people sort-of add it in, which is what I would do if I ended up taking that approach.

Does older grades of Montessori give grades?

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!"

@Rock n Roll: LOL exactly.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

@thehistoryofus - I did get grades. For most subjects they were based on progress and effort as opposed to comparatively to other students.

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.

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.

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?

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 !

@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?

@mrbee: Sure, I'd love to.

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.

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.

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.

http://sewliberated.typepad.com/sew_liberated/2009/04/finnians-montessori-room.html

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

@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?)

"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 michaelola@aol.com for reprint GB850