All About Montessori

[buds]

omgmum:

Thanks buds!

Anytime, omgmum! :celebrate:

omgmum:

I do realise that montessorian directresses are facilitators rather than dictators.

Wah, done your homework issit?

Yes, we facilitate... guide... observe... and support the individual
learning needs of children in our care.

omgmum:

But I just felt that the teachers I saw on my visit seemed to be bored, especially the English teacher who was basically busy on the phone. And the way she handled the disagreement, she didn't so much reason with the kids as told them what to do and what not to do.

I totally understand how you feel... :hugs:

omgmum:

BTW, are the directresses supposed to step in and offer guidance to the kids, or do they just look on? I know that that the kids are supposed to be independent and the materials allow them to do self-checking, but do the teachers step in to offer greater explanation and expand on the interests of the kids?

Montessorian Directresses NEVER just look on though it can look like it from
a visitor's point of view and especially more for someone who has not even
researched about Montessori education, prior to popping by a Montessori
centre for a look-see. We are always observing... Teachers have
a checklist to ensure children are able to accomplish even the smallest of
tasks and even the smallest details of their development from walking, to
pronunciation, to concentration skills to observing the areas of interest of
each of them and building on from there... these... only name a few. In short
directresses observe the children as a whole and help develop them as a whole
too, using the holistic approach of the Montessori education.

For my personal reference... i also keep a journal of all the children i teach.
It helps me keep track of even the smallest of achievements of all of them.
It also aids me in tracking my work with them. So, when parents ask
of their children's progress, it usually is at my fingertips. That journal is like
my work bible. Hee..

Montessori children are not supposed to be indepent but are guided on the
ways that lead to independence. Montessori materials/apparatus are self-
correctional for a purpose. The materials give children time to acquire the
quiet confidence of achieving or accomplishing tasks assigned to them without
having to give them much pressure... hence each child is allowed to develop
at their own pace. But again not without the guidance of the directresses
who may at her discretion acknowledge the need of each of the children
under her wing.

omgmum:

Cos I read somewhere in this thread/ forum about how you took note of your student's interest in geography/maps and expanded her knowledge about different cities and such.

Wuuaah! :!: You're a follower arh! Ai-sey.. that was already a long while
back ain't it? Like this i must go back there and read oso... must remember
what i shared. Yes... yes... we tap into the children's sensitive
periods and encourage learning via exploration. When a child achieves that
confidence in learning something he/she likes, he/she will in turn be even more
excited to learn a whole range of a lot of other things/subjects. Natural
thirst for learning is self-motivation for them going forward. It is
possible.... and because some of them start young, this self-motivation
continues through the children's growing years.

omgmum:

I was impressed cos I thought this is what the montessorian approach should be about, not just observing, and offering assistance, but also building on the interests of the child? :?

Thank you, omgmum. I'm flattered. :oops: But then again i do have to caution
you that i am one of those very onz kinda educators... not those who
punch in and punch out of work on the dot. So, you cannot use me as
a benchmark lest other peeper may see me as spoil market orh. :siam:

I just truly love what i do.

[omgmum]

Thanks for the thorough explanations, buds!


Yup, this mummy quite kiasu. Have also reserved at nlb the montessori books that you've recommended. Cos was thinking, if really can't find a school that i like, will try to do the stuff at home with my girl.

Now, if only I can find a centre whose teachers share the same value as you...

[buds]

You're welcome, omgmum. My pleasure really. Sharing with you about

it, makes me miss work. Hee. Yes! Do read and research about
the method and the underlying objectives for the many different
activities that are carried out in our Montessori classrooms.

How old is your child btw, i don't recall you mentioning...

[simpsons]

Hi,


any mummy enrol their kids in seedlings montessori at dawson mall? I have made a ‘surprise’ visit to the centre last month. Though it was a last minute arrangement, the lady who i presumed is the faciliator warmly welcome me and sit me down to briefly explain to me the procedures of enrolment and program details. What impressed me most, was all the children there seem to be so cheerful, they were all waving and giggling saying hello to me and my hubby though we were strangers. The faciliator brought us around including all the rooms, the teaching materials that they used…but dont know why she exclude showing me the toilet and i deliberate asked to see the toilet (haha…) was satisfactorialy though there is mild stetch of urine smell… haha…

Btw my gal is 15 mths who is very clingy and very selective to whom she hang out with… thought of enrolling her in childcare to learn and socialise…any mothers can provide some insight of the above childcare?

[trixter]

hi all,


i have been reading this thread for at least 30min and i still have not made up my mind about montessori.

montessori is so much more expensive than the other kindys and i am not sending my kid to one just bcos its-exp-so-it-must-b-good.

i have seen kids from non-montessori who are just as bright and well-mannered so i keep asking myself why i should spend so much more to put him thru montessori education.

i dun need my child to excel in his work, i just want him to be disciplined, knows his manners and have lots of fun while in school. my son is barely 16mo and i've been fretting over this for more than a year now! :?:

i am hoping to find some reviews on Josiah Montessori at Eastpoint. its the nearest monte school in my area.

please share with me your experiences with the school!

thanks in advance!

may all kids out there have a wonderful childhood.

[RAchelmum]

Hi trixter,

I had signed up my girl at Josiah Monte weekly 1 hr accompanied toddler class.
U can go for a trial to see if the curriculum is what u are looking.

Basically it is an introductory course to boost the toddlers’ (1.5-2.5 YO)confidence in social engagement,
improve fine motor-skills with the manipulatives/ music & movements & simple crafts.

Not very structured as tot’s attention span is short. The 1st 30min is music & movement, followed by phonics or crafts.
The last 30min is mat work aka free play time for them to choose with the type of activities they like with the parent/ teacher.

Join in the midst of the term, so only 5 lessons. So far DD enjoys gog to her weekly session.

[toddles]

trixter:

montessori is so much more expensive than the other kindys and i am not sending my kid to one just bcos its-exp-so-it-must-b-good.

Agree - esp with parents queuing for some $3k a term schools out there.

trixter:

i dun need my child to excel in his work, i just want him to be disciplined, knows his manners and have lots of fun while in school. my son is barely 16mo

Totally echoes my views.

trixter:

i am hoping to find some reviews on Josiah Montessori at Eastpoint. its the nearest monte school in my area.

please share with me your experiences with the school!

thanks in advance!

may all kids out there have a wonderful childhood.

our kids maybe in the same class! Dd is 17 months.

I am considering Josiah, mostly because of location. Although it is pricier than the other options nearby, I like their individualised style, and the fact that my kid will be met at her own pace, and not rushed through if she's too slow, or bored if she is straining to go ahead.

although I've not sat through a class, so what I gather is from what the teacher/center manager tells me. wonder if they do trials for N1, not just the toddler accompanied one.

Overall, at this point, it seems to meet my needs the best in the vicinity. would have preferred it if they had more than just 30 mins of mandarin a day... but guess there is no perfect centre. Do you live nearby too?

[toddles]

Hi buds,


I dropped ya a PM.

[buds]

Just only is it...

Hokie sollie..
I'm very behind
on PMs, busy
yakking away.
:oops:

[buds]

Replied your PM oredi toddles.

Toodle doo now.. catch up with ya soon.