All About Montessori

[toddles]

The Little Cheng Mommy:

Hi, would like to have some opinions. To lessen my MIL's burden, I am considering sending my son to CS Motesorri playgp (2 hrs, 3 times a week) when he turns 18 months old. I plan to let him stay there and then transfer him to a 'standard' CC (non-Montessori base) when he turns 4. My reason is due to high class fees and I want my son to be exposed to a school setting that's similar to Pri 1 (kiasu).


My concern is, is 18 mths too young to start Montessori lessons or should I wait till he's older? And will there be any problem when I switch him from this Montessori classes to a school that uses conventional teaching method?

Hi!

We are in similar situations. I was thinking of sending my daughter to some form of pre-school or childcare next year when she turns 3. Partly to relieve grandparents of half a day of childcare (since hubs and I can send kid to school before we go for work, and grandparents can pick her up once done). Grandparents say they can cope now, but if another child comes along, then i'm sure it'd be more challenging.

My personal perspective on Montessori for N1 and N2 (think most Montessori centres don't cater to younger than N1, which is the year they turn 3) is that it's a place for them to learn through play. So I wouldn't say that any kid is 'too young' for that.

Another personal perspective on the 'switching' issue come Pri 1, is that, if our school system is such that we have no choice but to enter into a less-preferable mode of learning, it doesn't mean that I have to deprive my kid of the most-preferable mode of learning prior to that.

Doesn't make sense to me to subject my kid to a big class size, rote-learning structure in the earlier years, just so she's 'used to it' and has less difficulty adapting later. Perhaps the method of learning for younger children is different anyway, and for now, it seems that the Montessori method caters to their needs.

Perhaps the standard Singaporean school structure might be more appropriate for older children, e.g. Pri 1, when they have no choice anyway. *consoling myself* :roll:

[omgmum]

anyone has children in halifax montessori?


tried searching but couldn't find any, and am trying my luck again.

Went there for a tour of the school. Am quite impressed with the teacher for the older kids, but the teachers for the 18mths to 3 years group look like they would rather be somewhere. The whole time I was there, the english teacher looked like she was busy on her cellphone.

During their montessori time, there was some commotion among the children over some items, and I was quite appalled at the way she handled them. She was very brusque and impatient in her treatment of the kids.

Halifax seemed to be adopting the rather pure montessorian approach, and only introduces worksheets to K2 kids 6 months before they graduate. Personally, I'm quite fine with this, as long as my kiddo is able to grasp the concepts taught in P1.

Realise that what I saw was a one-off situation, so would really appreciate any comments from parents with kids in halifax.

[buds]

Hi omgmum, just to share with you a short excerpt from

this site that sums up the role of a Montessori Teacher.

In Montessori schools, children educate themselves via independent
activity. Consequently, the role of our teachers is quite different from
that of traditional educators. During training, the Montessori teacher learns
to observe each child's total development with patience, curiosity and love.

He or she carefully prepares and maintains an environment which is able to
support the intellectual, physical, social and spiritual needs of each child in
the classroom. As custodian of the classroom, the teacher is responsible for
the atmosphere and order of the room, the presentation of materials and for
the educational programme.

However, the Montessori teacher is an important element in the classroom
environment and must display exemplary behaviour without being obtrusive.

\"... we must be humble and root out the prejudices lurking in our heart. We must not suppress those traits which can help us in our teaching, but we must check those inner attitudes characteristic of adults that can hinder our understanding of a child.\" ~Maria Montessori

~ 2006 Cockatoo Montessori School

[omgmum]

Thanks buds!


I do realise that montessorian directresses are facilitators rather than dictators.

But I just felt that the teachers I saw on my visit seemed to be bored, especially the English teacher who was basically busy on the phone. And the way she handled the disagreement, she didn't so much reason with the kids as told them what to do and what not to do.

BTW, are the directresses supposed to step in and offer guidance to the kids, or do they just look on? I know that that the kids are supposed to be independent and the materials allow them to do self-checking, but do the teachers step in to offer greater explanation and expand on the interests of the kids?

Cos I read somewhere in this thread/ forum about how you took note of your student's interest in geography/maps and expanded her knowledge about different cities and such. I was impressed cos I thought this is what the montessorian approach should be about, not just observing, and offering assistance, but also building on the interests of the child? :?

[buds]

omgmum:

Thanks buds!

Anytime, omgmum! :celebrate:

omgmum:

I do realise that montessorian directresses are facilitators rather than dictators.

Wah, done your homework issit?

Yes, we facilitate... guide... observe... and support the individual
learning needs of children in our care.

omgmum:

But I just felt that the teachers I saw on my visit seemed to be bored, especially the English teacher who was basically busy on the phone. And the way she handled the disagreement, she didn't so much reason with the kids as told them what to do and what not to do.

I totally understand how you feel... :hugs:

omgmum:

BTW, are the directresses supposed to step in and offer guidance to the kids, or do they just look on? I know that that the kids are supposed to be independent and the materials allow them to do self-checking, but do the teachers step in to offer greater explanation and expand on the interests of the kids?

Montessorian Directresses NEVER just look on though it can look like it from
a visitor's point of view and especially more for someone who has not even
researched about Montessori education, prior to popping by a Montessori
centre for a look-see. We are always observing... Teachers have
a checklist to ensure children are able to accomplish even the smallest of
tasks and even the smallest details of their development from walking, to
pronunciation, to concentration skills to observing the areas of interest of
each of them and building on from there... these... only name a few. In short
directresses observe the children as a whole and help develop them as a whole
too, using the holistic approach of the Montessori education.

For my personal reference... i also keep a journal of all the children i teach.
It helps me keep track of even the smallest of achievements of all of them.
It also aids me in tracking my work with them. So, when parents ask
of their children's progress, it usually is at my fingertips. That journal is like
my work bible. Hee..

Montessori children are not supposed to be indepent but are guided on the
ways that lead to independence. Montessori materials/apparatus are self-
correctional for a purpose. The materials give children time to acquire the
quiet confidence of achieving or accomplishing tasks assigned to them without
having to give them much pressure... hence each child is allowed to develop
at their own pace. But again not without the guidance of the directresses
who may at her discretion acknowledge the need of each of the children
under her wing.

omgmum:

Cos I read somewhere in this thread/ forum about how you took note of your student's interest in geography/maps and expanded her knowledge about different cities and such.

Wuuaah! :!: You're a follower arh! Ai-sey.. that was already a long while
back ain't it? Like this i must go back there and read oso... must remember
what i shared. Yes... yes... we tap into the children's sensitive
periods and encourage learning via exploration. When a child achieves that
confidence in learning something he/she likes, he/she will in turn be even more
excited to learn a whole range of a lot of other things/subjects. Natural
thirst for learning is self-motivation for them going forward. It is
possible.... and because some of them start young, this self-motivation
continues through the children's growing years.

omgmum:

I was impressed cos I thought this is what the montessorian approach should be about, not just observing, and offering assistance, but also building on the interests of the child? :?

Thank you, omgmum. I'm flattered. :oops: But then again i do have to caution
you that i am one of those very onz kinda educators... not those who
punch in and punch out of work on the dot. So, you cannot use me as
a benchmark lest other peeper may see me as spoil market orh. :siam:

I just truly love what i do.

[omgmum]

Thanks for the thorough explanations, buds!


Yup, this mummy quite kiasu. Have also reserved at nlb the montessori books that you've recommended. Cos was thinking, if really can't find a school that i like, will try to do the stuff at home with my girl.

Now, if only I can find a centre whose teachers share the same value as you...

[buds]

You're welcome, omgmum. My pleasure really. Sharing with you about

it, makes me miss work. Hee. Yes! Do read and research about
the method and the underlying objectives for the many different
activities that are carried out in our Montessori classrooms.

How old is your child btw, i don't recall you mentioning...

[simpsons]

Hi,


any mummy enrol their kids in seedlings montessori at dawson mall? I have made a ‘surprise’ visit to the centre last month. Though it was a last minute arrangement, the lady who i presumed is the faciliator warmly welcome me and sit me down to briefly explain to me the procedures of enrolment and program details. What impressed me most, was all the children there seem to be so cheerful, they were all waving and giggling saying hello to me and my hubby though we were strangers. The faciliator brought us around including all the rooms, the teaching materials that they used…but dont know why she exclude showing me the toilet and i deliberate asked to see the toilet (haha…) was satisfactorialy though there is mild stetch of urine smell… haha…

Btw my gal is 15 mths who is very clingy and very selective to whom she hang out with… thought of enrolling her in childcare to learn and socialise…any mothers can provide some insight of the above childcare?

[trixter]

hi all,


i have been reading this thread for at least 30min and i still have not made up my mind about montessori.

montessori is so much more expensive than the other kindys and i am not sending my kid to one just bcos its-exp-so-it-must-b-good.

i have seen kids from non-montessori who are just as bright and well-mannered so i keep asking myself why i should spend so much more to put him thru montessori education.

i dun need my child to excel in his work, i just want him to be disciplined, knows his manners and have lots of fun while in school. my son is barely 16mo and i've been fretting over this for more than a year now! :?:

i am hoping to find some reviews on Josiah Montessori at Eastpoint. its the nearest monte school in my area.

please share with me your experiences with the school!

thanks in advance!

may all kids out there have a wonderful childhood.

[RAchelmum]

Hi trixter,

I had signed up my girl at Josiah Monte weekly 1 hr accompanied toddler class.
U can go for a trial to see if the curriculum is what u are looking.

Basically it is an introductory course to boost the toddlers’ (1.5-2.5 YO)confidence in social engagement,
improve fine motor-skills with the manipulatives/ music & movements & simple crafts.

Not very structured as tot’s attention span is short. The 1st 30min is music & movement, followed by phonics or crafts.
The last 30min is mat work aka free play time for them to choose with the type of activities they like with the parent/ teacher.

Join in the midst of the term, so only 5 lessons. So far DD enjoys gog to her weekly session.