Should I move ds to a montessori primary?

[lolacola1977]

Just wanted some feedback from anyone whose children have attended a Montessori primary school. DS has started in reception at a local prep school and it feels very rule driven with very little unstructured free play. He attended a Montessori accredited nursery which was amazing, and I feel like I have had my eyes opened to the possibility of child-led learning rather than worksheets and everyone producing identical pictures of their house...hence thinking of moving him to a Montessori primary. I am concerned though about the effect of moving him mid-year and DH is worried that Montessori primary will do nothing to make him more rule-abiding...he is very "spirited" and confident and does not like being told what to do, which my DH thinks can be a problem. DS also finds socialising quite difficult - great with adults but not v. good with his own age, and I wonder whether a Montessori school would exacerbate his tendency to play on his own. Any feedback gratefully received. Thank you!

No experience of Montessori schools but I love the philosophy and if we had that option I'd definitely have given it a try. I have a ds who likes to play on his own and my experience / feeling is that it's important to support the child he is rather than trying to make him something he isn't. I wouldn't want him to internalise the message that playing alone is a negative thing. He might thrive in the Montessori environment if it plays to his natural strengths - my child needs peace and quiet to learn and focus.

Do you want him to be rule abiding without question? Obviously he needs to learn to adapt his behaviour to the situation and to be considerate of others but I would think that Montessori would do that quite nicely - there are specific rules around learning, particular ways to use the materials, emphasis on being respectful of others' learning?

It's difficult because DS is getting in trouble almost every day at his new school and I don't want him already to be labelled "the naughty one" but at the same time, he seems to be reasonably happy and settling in quite well / never complains etc so DH thinks I'm crazy to be considering moving him...does your son have many friends? Mine is genuinely happy in his own company and although I would dearly love him to have a buddy to run around with him, it just doesn't seem to float his boat or be something he is interested in at the moment...