All About Montessori
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omgmum:
Hey, it's tough when children fall sick. Especially those accompaniedhi buds,
sorry for the extremely late reply. Dd was down with bad flu and then she passed it to me.
with fever spikes. I know the feeling. Bad enough one person is sick
and then you have to be sick as well. Oh dear.. hope both of you r
feeling much much better. :hugs:omgmum:
It's ok. Start early recce-ing so it won't be too rushing for you or tooDd is 1 year old, but I'll be going back to work prob next year, so am now desperately looking for a cc/nursery for her.
pressurizing to enrol in one for the sake of it. I went round almost all
the centres within where i live and the next two neighbourhoods. :oops:
Oops, i just made myself look so kiasu hor. :politebleah:omgmum:
Trust me, i know the feeling.. :hugs:worried that if i leave her with other caretakers, she won't learn much at the end of the day.
omgmum:
I hear ya girl and truly understand your situation.I sound kiasu hor, but actually I just want dd to enjoy learning the things she should be learning at her developmental stage, don't expect her to recite the alphabets or numbers or what not.
omgmum:
Yeah, we all know that right.. :roll:Other caregivers might just let her play on her own in one corner most of the day instead of reading to her, and playing with her.
But i have heard of exceptional ones who are very ONZ as well.
The children seem to learn beyond... IQ plus EQ. I was impressed.omgmum:
Hey, that sounds like my place! :lol: But you are far away from me.. :snuggles:Off topic, but am still trying to find a place that actually does a lot of reading to the kiddos.
Good luck in your search yah! Keep us posted! And take care you two! -
toddles:
i'd heard parents are not allowed in when lessons are going on. what we get to see are just the classroom and stuff. no chance to \"see the kids and teachers in action\". i remember someone told me that....
Yup looking to enrol in Jan too. Mine is with gramps... I was sahm until she was 1 yr 2 months old, but since then have been back to work (and much less tired haha).
I've visited but only at the reception area, cos only enquiring. I think before I confirm, I'll ask to see inside. Not sure whether they allow us to sit in for a 'trial' for N1....
so you staying in simei? so ur bb and mine could be classmates! i'm looking at the afternoon session but i'm thinking its a little not-here-non-there hour cos its either he eats a super early lunch at 1030am or late lunch when he returns. or a heavy breakfast at 9am and a light snack when they have the break at 1230am.
oh, i am still thinking abt the oh-so-exp fees. plus what i'm giving to the nanny gosh, the expenses is double. i wonder if i can discount my nanny since he is going to school and she will be free for 3-4hrs.
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hi buds
could you kindly advise what are some of the important things parents should pay attention to when visiting the \"potential\" monte school and some of the important questions we should ask?
some of the questions i'd prepared are:
- is it a full or half monte school
- the class size and ratio
- are the teachers qualify in monte edu
not sure what else...
pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease help me. i'm so nervous! -
trixter:
yah the fees are getting to me a bit... esp when i think of how the st james folks are paying like $400+ a month... and are probably just as good on a learning devt basis.i'd heard parents are not allowed in when lessons are going on. what we get to see are just the classroom and stuff. no chance to \"see the kids and teachers in action\". i remember someone told me that....
so you staying in simei? so ur bb and mine could be classmates! i'm looking at the afternoon session but i'm thinking its a little not-here-non-there hour cos its either he eats a super early lunch at 1030am or late lunch when he returns. or a heavy breakfast at 9am and a light snack when they have the break at 1230am.
oh, i am still thinking abt the oh-so-exp fees. plus what i'm giving to the nanny gosh, the expenses is double. i wonder if i can discount my nanny since he is going to school and she will be free for 3-4hrs.
and on an hourly basis, a decent childcare centre (say LSH or LV) costs around $1000 at most for full day. After $300 subsidy, only $700! And from 8am - 7pm (or 5pm if we can do early pick-up but still!) and they get a bath, food, and potty-trained... AIYOH. headache now. -
cherryseeker:
Anyone who has comment on MMI @ Brighthill Drive or Character Montessori @ AMK?hhhheeeeellllpppp...
Have to find a good Montessori school for K1 son in vicinity of Lentor/YioChuKang/AMK/Thomson area... any to recommend?
Does anyone have any comments about MMI @ Brighthill Drive or Character Montessori @ AMK? -
trixter:
I would suggest, don't just ask. If you find the few you have shortlisted,hi buds
could you kindly advise what are some of the important things parents should pay attention to when visiting the \"potential\" monte school and some of the important questions we should ask?
some of the questions i'd prepared are:
- is it a full or half monte school
- the class size and ratio
- are the teachers qualify in monte edu
not sure what else...
pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease help me. i'm so nervous!
ask to be put on a trial. Then ask. When we ask questions to these ctrs
we must have also done our homework to know that their answers are
good and valid. Whether teachers are knowledgable enough to answer
questions with regards to what they're teaching. Trials are also good to
listen to the teacher's level of spoken English... gauge their warmth &
care towards the children in her care... and how she emphasizes on
discipline with her group. In my opinion at least, i don't find speaking
to an administrator or the manager really helps if you cannot speak
or see THE one who is personally going to take care and teach your
child. No point having admin and manager who knows all the ropes
but the teacher goes... blahhhzzz..(cannot make it kind) in the end.
Just my 2 cents.
PS1 : Actually why you nervous arh? :lol: You're the customer and they
are the sellers. (sell their programme) So, THEY should be ones nervous
cos must serve you properly. :lol:
PS2 : I will PM you the other general questions okie.
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Hello buds,I'm new here and this is my 2nd post after reporting at newbie section
Erm,I was here from 9am until now and read through all 28 pages of this thread and am still as confused about montessori's way of learning.Back in one of the posts,you mentioned about the differences in Montessori vs \"Mainstream\" pre-schools and one of them being the costs.Actually it is not so as some \"Mainstream\" pre-schools like Etonhouse,Pat's , Mindchamps are as costly if not more costly than some of these Montessori ones. Let's just compare between let's say a 100% Montessori school vs Pat's .Both are equally expensive.Montessori has their style of teaching, whereas Pat's is also based on learning thru purposeful play but based on a thematic approach.So if the theme is about colours for eg,May I know what is the difference in terms of teaching style in Montessori vs Pat's? Would you be able to give me an example so that I will be able to actually tell the difference?I'm hope I'm not being too bothersome asking all these questions.
So far,I visited Schoolhouse by the Bay,Pat's and Mindchamps and they are based on learn thru purposeful play with a thematic approach but haven't had the chance to visit a montessori centre.After reading all 28 pages,I guess it is pointless for me to visit the centre as they wouldn't want me to disturb their lessons and thus I wouldn't get to see how a lesson is being conducted. -
:welcome: littleprince!
Like you I also read through all the pages!
Personally I think it's hard to tell what exactly each centre offers unless we participate for a month or more, and no one gets to do that, so part of the decision will have to be based on taking a leap of faith and see how it works out. -
littleprince:
Hello buds, I'm new here and this is my 2nd post after reporting at newbie section
Ermmm hello too and uhmm... have we been acquainted before? :lol:
Your 2nd posting oredi target question for me arh? I'm quite scared
now , honestly... :scared: ... Are you one of those very fussy parents? :nailbite: :siam:littleprince:
Just to clarify... that whatever you have read in this thread is highlyErm,I was here from 9am until now and read through all 28 pages of this thread and am still as confused about montessori's way of learning.
more the sharings than anyything else. This ain't even my thread.. i
didn't start it but along the way when i do see some areas where i
can share or contribute, i will try to the best that i can. I am not the
expert here or the know-alls... mostly only humble sharings of some
experiences in the work force and now from a parent's point of view
as well.littleprince:
If you ask anyone here who has had experience chatting with me in thisBack in one of the posts,you mentioned about the differences in Montessori vs \"Mainstream\" pre-schools and one of them being the costs.Actually it is not so as some \"Mainstream\" pre-schools like Etonhouse,Pat's , Mindchamps are as costly if not more costly than some of these Montessori ones. Let's just compare between let's say a 100% Montessori school vs Pat's .Both are equally expensive.Montessori has their style of teaching, whereas Pat's is also based on learning thru purposeful play but based on a thematic approach.
forum... there is this one thing i do not really like to do; that is... comparing.
Especially when it is with regards to education... cos simply
put : It is a people oriented industry. It's the people that matter, not
only the place, the brand, the price, the curriculum, the owner or the
beliefs/methodology and the practices that come with it.
You see littleprince, everything is subject to comparison as to how the
individual eye perceives it. It is very subjective. I have been on both sides
of the fence. ie. i have both mainstream and montessori experience... and
truth be told, there are merits in both learning environments which are
honestly beyond comparison. It would seem like asking someone to tell
you which child they love more than the other.
If you have read all the pages here... you would somehow understand a
little bit that ratio plays a big part between the two. Montessori takes in
less children in a class as you would compare to that of a mainstream. And
why? Because the Montessori methodology thrives on facilitating the
individual growing progress of each child holistically. A lot of observing,
guiding, preparing for each child is done at their individual pace. While
some centres may also include group activity, the Montessori curriculum
centres around their primary 5 areas. (Language, Math, Cultural,
Sensorial and Practical Life) With a knowledgable Montessorian and a
passionate desire to teach children, a true Montessorian would be able
to nurture a child to be an all rounder and an independent one to boot.
To hone the skill of not giving up at first try... at understanding that it is
all right to make a mistake and learn from it... then putting it to more and
more practice... one would eventually triumph out of it with personal
success at one's own speed and space.
A group setting in mainstream may for example allow for learning centres
where children are allowed to learn from one another... communicate with
one another... the teacher in this scenario provides the environment for
children to develop leadership skills, to share, to encourage problem
solving and to work well with others. In lessons, the teacher prepares &
delivers her lesson whereby all the children will listen & put into practice
of what's been taught as a group... All children conform to the pace to the
needs and to the level being presented by the teacher. Activities are pre-
scheduled and structured to suit the hours the child spends in the centre.
I won't be able to indulge you in the aspect of costs.. ie. to compare the
fees between centres. You have to understand that a lot goes behind the
structuring of a centre. Location=Rental. Branding=Commercialization.
Better trained teachers=Higher salary scale. Choice of curriculum.. choice
of food for our children.. air-con.. non air-con.. buy a curriculum.. make
own curriculum... adopt own methodology or franchise one...? Just to
name a few that is... there are a lotta things that goes behind the set
up of each individual centre that is almost impossible to compare the
whys and what nots. So to be fair to all practitioners, they each have
their own beliefs & preferred methodology of teaching the children in
their centres.. they each have a different vision of what they want for
that venture they have put their money into. Some may set up for the
sake of the money but not so easily either until really established.. some
do set up for the niche and the need of the masses.. and a few do set up
for the love of it.. while others may set up one just to try and see how it
goes.. A lotta things..littleprince:
I have posted a sharing about colours in one of the pages. Cannot recallSo if the theme is about colours for eg,May I know what is the difference in terms of teaching style in Montessori vs Pat's? Would you be able to give me an example so that I will be able to actually tell the difference?I'm hope I'm not being too bothersome asking all these questions.
which page now, but will find the link for you when i have time.
This thread has gone quite far already.. :oops: ... this auntie cannot
remember at this moment.
With regards to the difference in teaching, i cannot comment lah dear.. i
have not worked with Pats mah.. different centre different preferred
approach... not so much of right and wrong method... or better than the
other method... what drives our children to learn in a safe and fun loving
environment is the kind of environment that our children will benefit from.littleprince:
It is also pointless to just believe what we read here or anywhere forSo far,I visited Schoolhouse by the Bay,Pat's and Mindchamps and they are based on learn thru purposeful play with a thematic approach but haven't had the chance to visit a montessori centre.After reading all 28 pages,I guess it is pointless for me to visit the centre as they wouldn't want me to disturb their lessons and thus I wouldn't get to see how a lesson is being conducted.
that matter.. for not all centres (Montessori ones included) impose the
closed door policy. It varies from centre to centre and also between the
different management policies. The centres i have worked with... both
mainstream and also Montessori all have welcoming approach of open
concept policies.. we would love for parents to visit us. It's like opening up
your home to friends... :grphug: Parents have to also make the effort to
do ground research ie. visit the schools they have shortlisted and run
some questions with the staff/teacher... read about the methodologies
that they adopt for their centres... sit in trial sessions where possible...
So far the Montessori in mention that has the closed door policy shared
here amongst other parents is Josiah.. and not meaning they aren't good
for that matter. They take their work with children seriously when they
mean they do not encourage parents to walk in and about the premise
when children are in concentration. A parent who may already have their
children enrolled in a centre may not like the idea of the class teacher or
administrator spending time to speak to parents when lessons are in
progress... it does at times disrupt the lesson when there are visitors
coming in all the time. Parents will want to ask more questions in relevance
to the methodology or the lessons, which will then take up the teachers
time away from the children under her care. As best as possible, parents
should give centres a try by going for trial sessions (some may come free
and others maybe at a small fee) as these sessions help you gauge the
teacher's level of spoken English... her disciplinary approach with the
children... the way she engages children with her lessons... (etc) ...
Give centres a chance to show what they offer and what they have before
we judge... that said, with such a growing need for people in this pre-
school industry... there will be many teachers you see out there... while
they have been mention once too many of the 'off-ones' take heart that
there are also exceptional ones out there.
While i'm not sure how this long sharing will help you littleprince, i hope i
have shed some light (or at least i tried) to the concerns you have raised
in your post above. Let me know if i can be of further assistance. I will try
to help where i can. Meanwhile should you be keen in exploring Montessori
for your child, i encourage you to read up about it just to find out more...
As for other mainstream approaches, the library also offers many selections
for either leisure reading or more in depth research into the different ways
teachers nurture our pre-school children.
I have to reiterate that in this people-oriented industry of pre-school
teaching, it is THE educator that matters. When a person believes and
has the heart for it, she will deliver... regardless of company branding,
regardless of management woes... regardless of office politics... and
regardless of the methodology the centre incorporates... he or she...
is THE ONE who will make it work for you and your child, no matter what.
Just my usual dose of sharings.. -
:celebrate: I totally agree with Buds.
Not every opinion in the forum need to be sought & don simply take it
literally as one man's meat may be another's poison.
I am speaking from a parent who knows nothing about Montessori teaching
to reading various parenting forums & books; visiting centres, chatting &
emailing to Montessori directoresses/ principals, mainly in the NE area.
So far most centres allowed me to visit during the lesson time to see how
the classes are conducted, otherwise during the break/ snack time to
view the facilities if they found disruptive to the class.
I would write emails to arrange for appointment.
Ad-hoc visit is definitely not pleasant to any school.
A good tip from a non-montessori centre principal:
- Visit the centre at least twice:
1. Visit during school hours to see how activities/ classes are conducted
& how the teachers handle the students etc.
2. Visit during weekends/ time when there is no ongoing lesson.
This allows you have ample time to look at the environment, materials
and facilities & ask questions freely without any distraction of the
students.
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Some points to share based on my findings of what a montessori centre offers:
:idea:
There is no full montessori school in SG due to the addition of Chinese/
Mother Tongue Language etc. in the curriculum.
A full montessori school would have 2-3 hours of mat work or montessori
time while a SG kindergarten lesson usu lasts for 2.5-3.5 hrs. Given 30 to 45 min of monte time per day is considered normal.
Montessori is not a patented word, so some centres would mix & match with other teaching approaches. Or strange arrangement like Montessori for nursery level & other approaches for kindergarten level within a sch.
There is no such thing as modern or traditional or whatever styles of Montessori, the centres would like to call themselves.
:idea:
Montessori principles can begin from birth to teenage. Only offer for
preschoolers in SG, likely due to cost and lack of qualified educators.
To develop life skills, motor/ sensorial skills & coordination,
hence a sense of independence, responsibility and love of order.
The child can learn & encourage to do things by oneself (practical life
skills like self-feeding, changing, keeping things back in order after using, help to do house chores etc).
I got a cousin who is in Pri 5 & his mum is still spoon-feeding him all his
meals while he is glued to the computer screen. :stupid:
Monte schs are very neat & organised with open shelves.
Each set of work is placed in small tray with numbers/ dots to match the
shelf, so the child is free to choose the work & yet know where to put it back.
Say to teach about scooping, a set of work consists of 2 bowls with a
ladle/ large spoon and some marble/ large beads.
The teacher will do a presentation to show how the proper way is done
and place the items neatly on the tray after working.
To enjoy the joy of learning and interested in fact & fiction
Language, numeracy, science skills & geographical/ cultural knowledge
are introduced early through manipulatives, activities or field trips etc, to stimulate their interest.
To respect & listen
Children are respected as an individual adult, hence learn to be empathtic
& caring towards others & practice grace & courtesy.
Monte environments are usu calm & peaceful, unlike other centres which
might seem more cheerful or rowdy to some.
:idea:
There is no graded or marking system.
Children are assessed based on teachers' observation of their
individual progress/capabilities to accomplish the tasks or skills on the list
of progression activites ordered from easiest to hardest.
Hence it is good for the child who is advanced or slow to learn things at
their own pace. A pre-nursery level child can learn higher level skills if
he/ she is a fast learner; A kindergarten level child can be re-trained or
practise his/ her fundamental skills if not master well during the earlier
years.
For mainstream or traditional schools, one fixed set of syllabus is applied
for the children of the same ages.
:idea:
Teachers' Qualification
Majority of the local Montessori teachers are graduated with diploma from
MCI Montessori Centre International.
Rarely but a handful are holding diplomas from AMI Association
Montessori Internationale in UK/ US/ Netherland.
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I may not be expert in the area, here are some basic references which
had enhanced my understanding, even though I may not agree to every principle:
http://www.michaelolaf.net/FAQMontessori.html
Illustrated & simple to read books to introduce some activities at the comfort at home:
\"How to raise an Amazing Child The Montessori Way\" by Tim Seldin
\"Teach Me to Do It Myself\" by Maja Pitamic
Hope all parents found the suitable school that will nurture your children.
Larry Page and Sergey Brin, founders of Google.com, Jeff Bezos of
amazon.com, and others, credit their Montessori Education for much of their success.
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