All About Montessori

[buds]

Hi mscarpediem, hi to you too .... You are welcome as well. Sharings are free and I do it only when i'm a little free. I'm an apple addict and can work well around different situations including when i am bf-ing the boys. My iphone died on me a month now and i'm just plugging it in everyday to see if i can revive it. It does turn on and off at times so i guess it's gonna really die soon. I've been getting iphone withdrawals since. So these days, i reply straight from the Mac.


Truth be told, I have not gone out in full force with preschool shopping since hubs thinks chubs doesn't need it yet plus like all our other children (our two girls) they too attended school late. Yes he saves a lot on preschool! But it doesn't translate to me getting more.

I have to honestly share with you that i am no pure Montessorian. I believe that there isn't one ultimate method for things to get done... including educating children... especially since i first came from mainstream environment/industry myself prior to finding my passion in Montessori Education.

There are pros and cons of the authentic Montessori but that's me. I look out more for teacher quality because the early years needs a person who can inspire a child's learning journey (ahead)... not just on the now. I didn't realise they don't do visits! But did they explain why? I love to see class in action. I allow visits as well (before) and even trial lessons. How better to know the parent and the child (the potential customer) better than offering them a good peek, aye? But again that's just me. There usually is concern over parents disrupting children's concentration during visits but this is (most times) easily solved by running thru quick class rules to our visitors.

Never been to SM in Thomson before. Cannot comment. Too far to travel with so many kids.

[ocearth]

Plus.. I came abt a link on alot stuff on Montessori, some may find its useful


Here's the link:
http://mamato3blessings.blogspot.sg/2013/02/thrifty-homemade-montessori-ideas-for.html?m=1

[buds]

I have come across this before and MORE! The sharings on Montessori in cyberspace is aplenty! The possibilities are endless!


..... and yes, Montessori Education can start from home!

Thanks for sharing with all! :grphug:

[bagabunny]

hi…

can anyone tell me if it really matters if th Montessori materials are of original actual size?
I have visited a few schools which are not. Their golden beads, multiplication boards, knobbed cylinders are not.
I understand that the sensorial materials are used to help in the pincer grip as well as general motor skills, thus, I thought the actual size that Dr Maria Montessori designed would matter.

for mathematical materials I’m not sure though. if the general function is there then should it suffice?

[buds]

Hi.. 1 question from me first, if i may? :please:


Did you bring up this query to the centres you visited?

[bagabunny]

buds,

I did ask. they said they are working with a small group at a time and it doesn’t really matter to have actual size due to space constraints. I didn’t really think much of it then.
however, the more I read up and the more I think about it, I felt puzzled.
for me, it’s ok to have smaller size if it’s for home use I guess, cos the original size ones are pretty pricey but for the use in school, with at least 40 kids and for long term investment, I’d thought it mattered.

Am I too particular? the knobbed cylinders that chubs used is original size right? the ones I saw are about half that size.
buds, is the function and purpose still preserved? I can’t seem to find my answer through books or internet

[buds]

Hi dearie bagabunny.. good that you asked.. and i applaud you for your consistent interest to empower yourself with the knowledge of Montessori Education, especially more profound when you are not in a Montessori environment yourself to fully understand or to yet experience the rewards the methodology brings.


Your questions are not unfounded and in fact, you have raised good queries for other parents who may not even think to ask. I will return here soon to clarify your doubts pertaining to this. My dragon_boi is awake from his nap and refuse to continue with it (nap) despite bf-ing him. :politebleah:

Till later, k... :imanisland:

[sararunk]

Hi does anyone have any experience or opinions about GEMs Montessori at Pandan Valley condo on Ulu Pandan Road?

[mscarpediem]

Thanks Buds for responding. You had raised a very good point that teacher quality is much more important for inspiring learning.


Do you conduct classes now or the trial classes you had mentioned was for a previous school you had taught in before?

[buds]

No problem mscarpediem. Many preschool shopping parents emphasize a lot on the surface of these programmes they offer everywhere but the ultimate choice is never the hard selling of programmes and fancy schmancy curriculum what nots... it's in the underlying gem that requires keen observation to know that one teacher that softly gets you sold. When you move around more centres to do your groundwork you will get what i mean especially if there is option for trial lessons. You can 'feel' it.. in your gut. You can 'feel' the love of a true educator if only you look beyond the surface..


I have been wanting to conduct lessons for the longest time! :rant: But i just can't.... yet. I don't work now so yes, those trial lessons are when i was still working back then. When you next shop around for schools, find out from them if they offer such arrangements. If not, a look-see around the place even if at the last five to ten minutes before a class in session ends is already good enough. I don't fancy watching just walls, chairs, desks, fancy toys....

But hey, that's me..

Because our expectations are different of what is important in a preschool set-up, our criterias can be different. Important thing is what we want is a place that is safe for our children and where they will be loved.. good teachers teach from their hearts. :love: