All About Montessori

[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.

[buds]

:welcome:catherineq... to the Montessori thread, where MOST discussions are about Montessori teachings, Montessori materials, Montessori teachers, Montessori schools.... and the usual :offtopic: OT banter as well. Hope you'd like it here.


Why were you overwhelmed? :hugs:

You'd have panda eyes if you tried to finish reading everything in a day and understand them in detail.

1. Chicken feed that number one. Easy peasy.
2. I used to stay in the West and held play dates... but for my friends oni.

However, i did take in special requests from time to time from via word of mouth. A few were special needs... others were just children who needed a wee bit more time.

Now got big playgroup at home. Already max with my 4 children. :rotflmao:

Nope, 3+ is great. In fact perhaps his learning may be accelerated but i foresee the soft skills may take some time to refine. Other than that starting @ 3+ is not a problem at all. :celebrate:

[buds]

ocearth:

Hi Buds

Hi ocearth dearest.. :peekaboo:

ocearth:

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\"......

http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php

ocearth:

Going down to see Children Vineyard. According to them, incorporate Montessori and some US concepts..

US concepts as in thematic concepts like mainstream you mean?

ocearth:

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......

I normally go with teacher-feel before a look-good curriculum but that's me. If my child likes going to school without any fuss, half the battle is won. If with a sound curriculum, the directress is the inspiring and encouraging sort, patient with children and exudes a lotta warmth just by watching her speak with the children... you have a winner there. Management will always be a bummer. Almost everywhere i go and have went, management will be one driving reason why good teachers leave. Why i left..

ocearth:

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!).

I know exactly watcha mean.. :hugs: I'm closer to my neighbours too. About being slow, i assure you it will get better once your routine kicks in. Unless if you're the potato sort. Read : lazy. :preen:

ocearth:

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.

That's normal.

Not weird in any way.

ocearth:

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...

I am also on my own leh.. with two babies oso.. and both boys oso.. :politebleah: You can work with showing both the same material, after which didi uses it first while you work on something else with gor gor. Everyday, the showing both the same material part must show a different one. By the end of the weekday, didi gets to work with 5 different materials preferably one from each area of Montessori Method... and gorgor gets 10 including some actual academic learning with the method as well. Repeat the cycle 2-3 weeks.

Remember, taking and keeping materials one at a time is important. So is working on a mat. No sharing mats. One each. The mat defines the work space that each child will learn to respect as you slowly show them how you will work with both of them at their pace.

ocearth:

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...

Yes it is.

Other ideas...

On a tray, keep one box of confetti or clean rubbish (paper from magazines all torn up) plus those mini broom and dustpan for children to practice sweeping and also work on their fine motor skills.

In a corner of the room, have ready a child-sized broom and dustpan for rubbish or dust on the floor to be swept up by them, take turns.

During makan time, serve on a place mat. Have a small wipe cloth for table spills. Encourage them to put dirty cutlery into the sink. If they are too small to wash, help to dry the dishes sitting down on the floor.

Didi can learn to sort spoons, forks, teaspoons, etc into those sorting trays. Can get from IKEA. Gorgor can fold napkins.

ocearth:

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

I love it. Keep it coming. :love: Not lor so.. it's called catch up with frenz. :please:

ocearth:

Noticed u changed ur avatar... not as heavy huh..

It was actually a heavier wan, but kena ban. I scared kena suspended by Principal, so i changed back into my school uniform. :imanangel: You like? It's the new in-trend attire. Dudou uniform.

[buds]

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?p=860423#p860423


Feedback on Early Years Montessori from another thread. :please:

[buds]

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?p=811121#p811121


Another feedback from another mommy, Flowermonaster.

[Jenny Lam]

hi Ocearth. Huh! I met Natalie before. Looks like Natalie is no different from ordinary preschool teacher who job hop. If she is has a heart for the children she won't leave the children in the middle of the year. I bet she won't be long in her next school too! Who did you hear about Natalie's departure? What i know usually a school will not anounce departure of a teacher before they introduce the new teacher. If Natalie is the one who told you then I just feel that what she has done is morally wrong. Then you need not have to feel the lost of her departure. i feel a good teacher also has to be morally upright. If she is the one who break the news to you then she is trying to make the parents panick and feel as though the school cannot do without her. Did you verify with the director or talk to her about her plan after her departure? For all you know, there may be other side of the story. To satisfy my curiosity, I will try to find out more. Just wait for my news.For the sake of your child, do not make hasty decision. May be she will get an even better teacher? What I know is the director is serious in getting good teachers judging from the teachers she has in all her schools. I visited all the Sunny Bunny schools before. :oops: Last month, I went to Bishan library to watch You Noisy Monkey, a puppet show by Sunny Bunny children. The show was in both English and Chinese. I am very impressed especially with an Indian girl who spoke perfect Chinese. They are performing 1 show a month. Go and see and judge for yourself. We often hear the news of unhappy parents of some centres caught by huge increase in fees. I just found out recently from a friend whose kid attending Sunny Bunny child care @ Sin Ming, they did not raise a single cents of the fees since 4 years ago! Their new fees are only applicable to new enrollments. Just think which school won't increase their fees of their existing children for 4 years! Honestly, I support Sunny Bunny because this is one of the very few schools I visited that has good value added program and teachers.