All About Montessori

[zdonfrank90]

Hi parents, would be grateful if you can help me do a survey on in-house student care centre in primary school


https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1WFNKj5rABXF8fVpZUl_rZMI3u-QHuLAAwwORgoxiZVA/viewform

[buds]

Heyya zdonfrank90.. done up mine. Hope it helps.

[buds]

ocearth:

Heya Buds... Ur avatar \"tooooo heavy\" for my eyes....

Heyya ocearth! Heavy ya think? It's heavy in real life for me too. Sorry i missed your (this) post. :imsorry: So, only replying now..

ocearth:

Anyway back for some quick updates on my son's progress in SunnyBunny Bedok.

Is this a kindergarten or a childcare set up, babe?

ocearth:

It's only 2 short weeks and i can't tell much but my son seems to enjoy school. I do take a peep now and then (very curious n also wonders how my son is in schl), i can see the directress engaging him and the other 3 (now 2) students..(total 3 students in the class, 3 to 4yrs old mixed). Saw hin rolling the mat once n it was an cute image.

He can roll the mat nicely already? :celebrate: Nice. :love:

You get him a mat for home use too. Encourages him to work on his mat with one material at a time. Once he keeps the one he took, it is then ok to get a new material or toy to work with.

Chubs is learning how to roll his mat too. I whisper-sing the sequence to him.

\"Roll roll roll your mat...\" (Somewhat in a row your boat tune)
\"Pull.\" (Pull mat closer to him)
\"Tap the sides.\" (Both ends of the mat to ensure it is straight.)

The final tap is when the mat is fully rolled up.. tight.. and upright.
It is a light tap on the top to conclude that rolling the mat (activity) is done.

ocearth:

There's no comm bk but i get feedbks frm the directress everyday coz i keep asking.

KS. :politebleah:

ocearth:

Cons: no field trips, less involvment with other kids, only one English speaking directress(frm south africa)

This is sad. Perhaps it's because the numbers are still small. Ya think perhaps they may consider when numbers are bigger? Feedback oredi?

Having the South African directress means no singlish?

ocearth:

May need to reconsider sending him to schl where there focus on chinese.

Hmmm... again, perhaps the number of students currently don't see the need of additional manpower. Then again, perhaps could consider a permanent part-timer... hmmm..

ocearth:

Pros: Son has alot directress attention n guidance.

This is sooo good. :evil: Bang for the buck. Lucky you.

Children do tend to get accelerated progress in smaller groups.

ocearth:

It'll be a pity if i pull him out of the schl, but got think how to blend in the Chinese part... Can't do w/o that.

Yah, a necessity honestly.. a pity to pull him out if he's settled and doing well.

ocearth:

PM the operator Anna but no response so well, gotto look around soon i guess

Check back again here if there are any updates with regards to this on your end aye?

How's your home reno coming along? Your ideal Montessori work room ready?

[bagabunny]

buds.

still waiting ur reply on size of Montessori materials.
thanks!!

[buds]

Oritey.. :salute:

[bagabunny]

horrified horrified horrified!!!


I went to MPH a few weeks ago to ask if they have any books or activities on Montessori.
The bookstore assistant exclained, ‘MULTI STORIES? we don’t have such books!’
I was stumped. actually i didn’t know if she meant multi stories or multi storeys, but I repeated my question and she still didn’t get it. Finally I spelt it out to her and she typed it into the computer system which yielded a NIL result.
Alright…nobody sells or even knows what Montessori is anymore.

Today, i went to Nurture Craft at Forum shopping mall. I thought the shop offered a wide selection on phonics books, reading and many interesting activities. was contemplating buying a couple of books.
I asked the person in charge, an uncle, if he sold any Montessori books or materials…
and he gave me the same answer : ‘Multi storeys??’

I’m sure my pronunciation can’t be that bad mah…
sobs sobs

[buds]

Hi bagabunny, if it's not your pronunciation ... rest assured that it is just perhaps due to pure ignorance. Here here... I found you something yah.. http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php


Can order online oso Type \"Montessori Books\" in the search box and they will show you a couple of Montessori books available.

> http://www.kinokuniya.com/sg/index.php/fbs002?searchresult_action=keySearch

My copies of Montessori reading materials were either purchased from other parents, Montessori enthusiasts, from Borders or Page One when they were still existent. Sigh.. I miss those cosy mega book stores.

[buds]

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.

Yes babe, in my personal opinion as well... indeed it does matter. The phrase Size Does Matter wasn't coined for nothin' aye? :evil:

Long term investment aside, operators are obliged to provide these materials to their customers non other than the children themselves. The expensive fees Montessori centres print on their enrolment forms are not just from the standpoint that our teachers underwent or are undergoing expensive (and exhaustive) training programme alone. Cost of these materials in their specific specifications are also a part of it as well. As we all know, these materials are designed specifically for their intended usage and some manufacturers use only premium quality wood/material which can bring the cost price even higher.

The miniature versions are and can be suitable for home use if the parents have a few kids to work with at a time or if they have financial or space constraints. I like to add that there's always flexibility in Montessori Education however in a centre proper, I would expect standard sized materials.

bagabunny:

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

No i don't think you are too particular. I think it's a fair expectation from your end and the rest of the (other) consumers. There should not be a short-change for the price you pay for excellent materials and curriculum.

The function of original versions and the miniature ones are the same however the size... at times, the quantity of the material... the weight of the material... will differ. The price of the miniature ones are cheaper and their make are less defined for use in a centre set-up in my personal opinion.

Per se... the length of the red rods and the number rods will be halved from 1 metre to 50 cm. There will be less cylinders for the knobbed cylinders in the miniature versions. The weight will also be lighter.

Using the knobbed cylinders as an example... the material is very heavy. The weight itself is actually seemingly too heavy for a child all of 18 months young. However, with the guidance of the directress... the child is guided to balance out the weight of the block by carrying the material in a proper manner. Like other Montessorian children chubs too now carries the material to the mat and back with ease because of this. The indirect preparation is also perfect for when the child (in real life situation) carries a tray of food and drink all on his own. The balance a Montessorian child has is impeccable. By providing the child with a lighter version of the block of cylinders gives the false sense of ease and that children will find it easier to carry lighter and smaller stuff due to their size/age. Children are meant to do big things and the way to that is only to get them to do them. For children who are still toddling at 18 months or younger, they have this tippey-step to their walk. Carrying the block of cylinders in its original size also helps them to plant their feet flat to the ground as they walk. It helps steady their tot-walk.

Another example is of Practical Life activities where only real materials are used... let's say for the Pouring Activity. Children work from easy to difficult... so they work first with Dry Pouring (pouring of beans from jug to jug) followed by more jugs (learning equal distribution) and later on progress to Wet Pouring with actual water. If it pours on the mat, it will get wet.. the children learn to wipe their space. In real life, this encourages discipline and also makes the child more conscious of their actions. Glass jugs are used to depict the reality that if not carried on a tray properly, these jugs will break and will be dangerous to self and others. Using plastic jugs masks the reality that things do break and if they do, there are consequences... and definitely cleaning up.

Children really benefit from the reality of real activities of life and original use of materials in the Montessori environment. The activities children learn in a Montessori environment are meant to prepare them for life, not just kindy and definitely not just for the boost in academics like many parents these days seem to think.

[ocearth]

Hi Buds


Well well well, teacher is leaving for another school this May…i like her for the way she guides me son but she has lost her motivation in this school… So have to look around for another school which hopefully has more "certainty"… Going down to see Children Vineyard. According to them, incorporate Montessori and some US concepts…
Spoke to one of the director just now. This kindy has a more balanced curriculum (excursions/yearly concerts…) which i find is good for the little ones exposure… Also went to ermm SOKA,heard about them before? I like the overall of SOKA, but (yeah tere’s always a but), i thought i see some potential in my elder boy & believe he can pick up more in a Montessori setup. Though Children Vineyard is not total Montessori (but, again! Where to find full in Singapore?) anyway, i know i will feel i had robbed him of somehing if i sent him to other set up school…

I wish I know what to do , soon…


My reno done, but i am slow and gets too little time to do more with no help thou living with MIL (she & i majiam stranger… I m closer to my neighbours!! Hey hey!). With hubby back only on wkends, i just want some time for myself by having a good long shower… & poo in peace… Hehe. Disgusting i know… But that’s real life ok. So far a mini toy/book shelf where my boys open & close its doors after they take a toy or book out (but need reminder with my younger one). I find its rather difficult when both r playing together, my young one kept messing with my older one when i am not watching… I have to cook, clean, feed & eveything else at home so can’t be watching them everytime… I cant figure out how to create a more struture time for them…

Elder one now can put on & remove his shoes, then wash his hands & put on his bagpack… I am a slave driver, i make them put their dirty laudry in the washing machine, make them clean the mess or spills with tissue and cloths… I guess that’s oso part of Montessori teachings huh…

Enuf of my "lor sor"… Noticed u changed ur avatar… Now feeling less heavy huh?

Noticed u changed ur avatar… not as heavy huh…

[catherineq]

I am overwhelmed by the long threads here about Montessori. I haven’t finished reading, however my aim is to expose my preschool children to Montessori environment. I am hoping: 1) Set up Montessori environment @ home, 2) Join Montessori-based playgroup/playdate which I can accompany/sit-in (Privately run by mummies is fine! Location preferred: West).


Any recommendation on 1) and 2)? My elder is 3+ already, is it too late?

Thanks.