All About Montessori

[Twin-mama]

What about MMI Woodlands? Any feedback about the centre??

[tiredmummy1972]

My sil wants to put her son in Montessori playgroup ( not childcare). cant seem to find any in hougang where she stays. Any recommendations? or any other playgroup is hougang?

[buds]

schnapps_7:

Hi Buds

Hello there! :peekaboo:

schnapps_7:

Can I have your views on Josiah Monti? My son has started attending that school for 4 months now and they are planning for fee hike. I am wondering if I am getting the \" bang for the buck\". Any feedback is much appreciated. Thanks.

In all honesty, i've never stepped into Josiah Montessori as i never saw the need to recce for a school so far away from where i reside hence the reviews i share on Josiah are purely by word of mouth either from fellow friends or from other parent acquaintances.

Only some simple questions of reflection is required on your end to decide.

>Has your son been more than happy to go to school these 4 mths and being treated well by his teachers?

>Has the past 4 months seen him being a more motivated learner?

>Do the teachers brief you about his progress periodically?

>Does the centre explain the activities or curriculum they are going to cover with him? Via newsletters, parent-teacher meet-ups, communication book, etc?

>Have you had any issues with the centre at all since you enrolled him there?

If your answer is yes to most (if not all), there should be little reason why you should contemplate an environment adjustment for him. Having a happy child eager to attend school every time is already half the battle won. The rest is up to the teachers to facilitate and us parents to support.

By far, Josiah has maintained a good standard of Montessori Education from what has been gathered by most feedbacks pertaining to the centre, teachers and its curriculum. As for the part on getting the bang for the buck, if you ask me personally... if i could afford to (which i can't) send my child to a centre that hires the best teachers and treats them well, it transcends to having happy teachers teaching my children, which indirectly means having me ultimately being a happy parent... for i know when my child is firstly.. happy to learn; can the learning then begin from the heart...

I cannot answer the question for you but i am sure as a parent, you are the best person to decide what's best for your child after reflecting upon his learning journey thus far.

Share here once you have decided.

[buds]

Off123:

Hi All and Buds

Hi there! :peekaboo:

Off123:

I went to see Ideal Montessori. The pax in charge was very good with telling everything we need to know and want to hear. I like the surrounding very much and most importantly, there seem to be very few montessori near boon keng mrt so I doubt I have many choice...pls correct me if i am wrong!

What an ideal name for a centre isn't it? It's nice that the person in charge did a run-through with you about your doubts & concerns. I like it when a person calmly takes me through the centre's everything.. even when i already know most of it. A rushed presentation or welcome is too much like a transaction.. I once visited a centre where i could not even cut in.. the administrator went on and on abt the 5 areas, the timing, the schedule, blah blah.. and when she finally paused for breath, i said, \"Sorry dear, can i cut you in just for a few seconds?\" She heaved a sigh of relief and nodded... swallowing her saliva. Camly i resumed.. \"I do know a little about Montessori and it's ok, you don't hafta explain all the areas for me. I'm ______ and this is my daughter _______. She's ______ yrs old and i'm here to look at your classrooms and if possible see a class in session or if not perhaps i could opt for a trial class. Please do tell me how i should address you, cos i didn't catch your name earlier.\"

Off123:

The thing that is making me have second thoughts is that throughout my time there, i didnt feel the presence of kids... ie. very quiet! They are there but very quiet. No laughter, no questions, I dont even hear much from the teachers. Maybe they are very well behave and ask teachers in very `disciplined' manner...but I thought a cc should have a fair amount of buzz??

Let me know what you all think?

A Montessori classroom is usually a well organized one where all children are engaged in purposeful work and where the children are older or normalized (already adjusted to the Montessori environment) they are more calm and focused with activities. This fosters good work habit in children as they build on concentration skills. The Montessori environment does not only encourage discipline but more importantly respect. Respect for the environment ie. care for materials and school property and the materials used by their friends.. they cannot cross over someone's work mat or step on them.. and if they too wish to use a certain material, they ask if they could either work on the material together or if not, perhaps let the friend know he/she is keen to work on the material next.. treat all apparatus with care so everyone gets to use them.. flip books softly by the corners so everyone gets to read clean and non-tattered books.. etc. Respect for one another.. ie. whisper or speak in a low voice when they need to discuss privately or ask about something so as not to disrupt another peer's attention to activity.. take turns to speak (instead of all at once).. speak politely.. etc. Respect for authority.. ie. social grace and courtesy is part of the Montessori education.. ie. we discuss how they should always remember their please and thank yous.. render assistance when necessary.. they are encouraged to speak properly and politely to a person of authority within the environment and that they are free to seek help whenever the need arises..

These are values important for life and not just a mere prep for primary education. Montessorian children are nurtured to observe.. to listen.. and then articulate their thoughts accordingly.

Off123:

My kid is under my parents care and is talkative at home. To me, being vocal (not demanding or rude) is important as I myself grew up as a shy person and it hinders my interaction. I didnt shed this shyness and was only able to speak infront of groups much later. So to me it is important to be confident infront of group.

It is good that your child is vocal at home. It helps him to express himself well so people around him know and understand his needs or concerns that he may have. Speaking confidently and speaking loudly has two different effects. There are many opportunities for children in Montessori environment to exercise confident public speaking skills. In fact even presentation skills. In Montessori children are sometimes paired or grouped together to delegate the roles to play for group activities and craft. There's puppet play presentation.. read to the class session.. show and tell session.. music and rhymes.. where children take turns to lead the group during circle time. In my Montessori sessions, we allow children to take turns to talk about their weekend.. how they spent it with their family and relatives etc. Post learning journeys/excursions, we carry out mini projects (sometimes even mini cooking/baking sessions) & discussions... and let children present them to the class.. in fact, we also do have mini presentations for parents as well.

Off123:

Thanks!

Different centres cater & offer different activities aside from the core Montessori programme that are carried out every day but these can be integrated as to how and what we learn from the Montessori Education.. more like complementing the approach to further reinforce certain concepts. So, while what i have shared are how i have run my classes, no two classes are the same. Teachers also come in different calibres and have varying depths of knowledge of Montessori Education. I merely shared mine.. for my classes are quiet as well it is not that they are not encouraged to voice out their thoughts, or to express their opinions or in short.. to speak. Montessorian children are by no means shy and they definitely definitely can articulate themselves confidently not just in a group but actually even in crowds... for Montessori Education tailors to the pace and the fit of the child enabling him/her to be first and foremost confident of him or herself with their varying rates of progress.

While some children can be shy due to personality or from home environment, the Montessori environment seeks to bring out the best of every child. If there should be concerns that a child is exceptionally shy, parents are welcome to raise it with the teachers and i'm sure they are more than happy to assist with the concern by providing extra exposure.

[schnapps_7]

buds:

schnapps_7:

Hi Buds

Hello there! :peekaboo:

schnapps_7:

Can I have your views on Josiah Monti? My son has started attending that school for 4 months now and they are planning for fee hike. I am wondering if I am getting the \" bang for the buck\". Any feedback is much appreciated. Thanks.

In all honesty, i've never stepped into Josiah Montessori as i never saw the need to recce for a school so far away from where i reside hence the reviews i share on Josiah are purely by word of mouth either from fellow friends or from other parent acquaintances.

Only some simple questions of reflection is required on your end to decide.

>Has your son been more than happy to go to school these 4 mths and being treated well by his teachers?

>Has the past 4 months seen him being a more motivated learner?

>Do the teachers brief you about his progress periodically?

>Does the centre explain the activities or curriculum they are going to cover with him? Via newsletters, parent-teacher meet-ups, communication book, etc?

>Have you had any issues with the centre at all since you enrolled him there?

If your answer is yes to most (if not all), there should be little reason why you should contemplate an environment adjustment for him. Having a happy child eager to attend school every time is already half the battle won. The rest is up to the teachers to facilitate and us parents to support.

By far, Josiah has maintained a good standard of Montessori Education from what has been gathered by most feedbacks pertaining to the centre, teachers and its curriculum. As for the part on getting the bang for the buck, if you ask me personally... if i could afford to (which i can't) send my child to a centre that hires the best teachers and treats them well, it transcends to having happy teachers teaching my children, which indirectly means having me ultimately being a happy parent... for i know when my child is firstly.. happy to learn; can the learning then begin from the heart...

I cannot answer the question for you but i am sure as a parent, you are the best person to decide what's best for your child after reflecting upon his learning journey thus far.

Share here once you have decided.

Thank you so much for your views. Initially, there were a lot of struggles when my son started Josiah. Now it’s ok just that occasionally, he says he doesn’t want to go to school. I think that’s just that he being very playful, he rather stay home and play. I can’t tell if he is a keen learner.. he is an active child and prefers to play than sit and learn. I don’t have much issues with the school other than the admin staff keep telling me that they are going to increase the school fees etc. They sure keep me informed about his progress and all. Lately, I heard negative feedback around mgt and the yearend concert experiences which totally surprised me and upset me and kind of bugs me. I don’t want to be caught in that situation thus I wanted to get views on this school. Anyway, I am looking around the east for a school. I have 2 kids and $200 or more raise is substantial and more so as I have another kid who needs to attend preschool next year. Surely, will update on my decision. Thanks.

[Jenny Lam]

I visited a new Montessori school at level 2 Bedok CC more than 1 wk ago. They have other centres elsewhere. All by same operator and not franchised. Not sure if the fee is cheaper than Josiah. They have a expat Montessori teacher. Nice environment. You may want to look at their website first? I havent decide whether sending my child there cos I got to work, I need to put my child in full day school. :sad:

[buds]

Hi again schnapps_7... thank you very much for your feedback and update abt the school. I am sure it is very much appreciated by the other Montessorian parents here as well. :hugs: From time to time, schools will have some changeover of teachers and other times big changeover of management. Would you wanna try asking your child's teacher abt the stuff you heard? Yes, $200 is a lotta moolah.. esp since you still have another one to think of. I find preschool phase the most expensive phase in my children's lives thus far. If i hear of other good places in the East, i'll update here.

[schnapps_7]

Jenny Lam:

I visited a new Montessori school at level 2 Bedok CC more than 1 wk ago. They have other centres elsewhere. All by same operator and not franchised. Not sure if the fee is cheaper than Josiah. They have a expat Montessori teacher. Nice environment. You may want to look at their website first? I havent decide whether sending my child there cos I got to work, I need to put my child in full day school. :sad:

Hi Jenny Lam

Thanks for your suggestions. I may drop by to have a look. I also browsed another thread on this center and the feedback hasn't been positive so it's confusing. Nevertheless, I will visit to make a judgement for mysefl. Thanks again.

[schnapps_7]

Hi Buds


Thanks, kind of you. I told the center principle of the other parent’s feedback and she didn’t say a word about it. She was listening, so I’m convinced the incident is true. Also, I was told recently, the children were practising so hard for the concert from 8.30 - 1 without food and water. When asked, teacher mentioned, they overlooked. To me, this is unacceptable. Again, I don’t want to be caught in this situation later on. There are more feedback which I don’t want to pen all down. There must be alot of other good feedback on the school. Strong academic and conducive environment but that again is not enough. The least you want the mgt to walk their vision and mission. Somehow, even though I am not directly impacted, I just don’t feel comfortable with the center anymore. So coincidental, today my son didn’t want to go to school. He tells me he doesn’t like to go to school and want to stay home. Not sure if I am over reacting but just concerned that I don’t want to push him too hard on the learning aspect rather want him to enjoy learning as learning itself is a long journey… If I can’t find a good monte around my place. I rather put him back in his previous CC where he was happy only that I found he was picking up Singlish and environment was too relaxed and I wasn’t sure if he was learning. Maybe I decided too fast or Maybe a relaxed environment is better for him… still thinking and feeling worried. Going to see his Josiah teacher today to get her feedback on how my son is doing. Let’s see how it goes…

If anyone keen on the CC which my son attended, it was Star Learners @ Simei. He was there from 18 months to 3 years. He had very good, caring PG teachers.

[toffee]

Hi buds and mummies,


I’m trying to get some feedback on Halifax Montessori.
Would greatly appreciate if mummies who have kids there now can share some information on the school, teachers, environment etc with me.
Many many thanks!