Montessori School

[confusedhelpme]

I have done some limited research on Montessori education but I would be keen for anyone else's opinions / input or experience. Much appreciated!

I chose the most beautiful Montessori school for my DS. He started in the nursery but it was a 2-11 school. It was a stunning place, such beautiful equipment and facilities and all teachers Montessori qualified.

However, it just didn’t suit my DS and he was really quite stressed out by it. He was over faced by needing to organise a 3hr work cycle himself with minimal adult input. I think it doesn’t necessarily suit all children. Even the school themselves said they sometimes recommended children moved to the more traditional prep down the road. When the Head said this she added ‘because they just need to be told what to do’ in a rather scathing tone, but I don’t necessarily think it is terrible or unusual to need a bit more direction than a Montessori work cycle provides. DS is developing good independence and self organisation skills now (7) but he has needed more support to get there than just being left for 3hrs at a time to work it out for himself.

I don't know anything about school, but I think their educational toys are fab.

I think most Montessori education I saw are at early education stage, i.e., nursery. there are very few primary or prep schools follow Montessori concept.

In nursery, the Montessori methodology is usually applied better from 3 yo, therefore your exposure to the methodology is about 1-2 years maximum, which in my view does not make much difference on child development, if at all.

yes, the wooden educational tools looks fancy, but nurseries usually don't stock much of those, and a child's access to those interesting toys are often limited.

i don't think whether it is Montessori or not does not really matter, just choose a nursery that is near, safe, fun, and clean.

Thank you. It's for Primary 2-11 we have one close by. Going to visit next week, so as you say, getting a feel for it will be the best

I meant 4yrs to 11yrs

We live in austria and all state childcare up to age 7 is Montessori. It is fantastic but not for everyone. DS needs more structure and guidance but DD has totally thrived in the environment. DS also had been in the UK system before here which probably didn't help.

I went to a Montessori school for primary and loved it. I'd love my dd to go to one (unfortunately none near us, though she did go to a Montessori style nursery). They have a lovely way of encouraging child-led play and exploration and independence. I genuinely think those early years set me up to cope so much better in school when I was older and I had to take a lot more initiative for my own work and interests. I'd jump at the chance assuming the school is a good one and you get a good feeling when you visit.

Our DD attends a wonderful Montessori primary school in SE London.
We love the individualised approach and the hands-on learning it offers. She is flying through the maths curriculum, something both my husband and I always hated when we were at school, and she loves reading and writing and comes home with the most amazing research work. She is so eager to go to school and that's exactly what we hoped for and dreamed of.
The only thing that restricts them is the building and the outdoor space. But you can't have everything I guess, especially in London.
I think you have to visit some schools and get a gut feeling. It often very much depends on the teachers and headteacher how a school feels.

@bitachon - do you mind pming me with the name of the school? We’re looking for Montessori schools but can’t find any in se London.

I've PM'd you.

yes, the wooden educational tools looks fancy, but nurseries usually don't stock much of those, and a child's access to those interesting toys are often limited.

What on earth is that based on? I worked in a Montessori for years. In a Montessori all shelves should be child height and the materials should be accessible at all times during the work cycle. Once a child has been 'presented' the material by the presenting directress and knows how to use it, they are free to choose it whenever they want as long as another is child isn't using it.

I think Montessori is wonderful. It teaches independence, self care and care of the environment, it has a shared community feel and in the Montessori I worked in we hardly had any plastic in the environment at all. I do agree with the above poster that it does not suit every child.

Montessori an be great, it can be a disaster.

DD has ADHD tendencies, very much borderline but it is very clear that only a rigorous structure works with her. Too much choice is poison for her.

The principle of free choice and no leading from a teacher can work with lots of children but equally it can mean other children will only stick to some familiar items and do not explore on their own.

Similar with teaching, setting tasks and expecting children at early primary age to deal them them independently can work or back fire.

It is very much a choice you need to make based on your
child and not on the principle of education type.