TTMA Montessori Schools for our Toddlers

[rachydc]

We just went and toured a very highly accredited one in our area. I was 100% set to love and sign A up, but now I'm having second thoughts.

The curriculum, if you could call it that, really doesnt appeal to me at all. Apparently the kids dont even learn the alphabet until 3+ years?  To me, it just seems like they treat each kid like an individual and let them flourish on their own. Which, I guess is cool, but I feel like A does so well on her own already and just needs extra guidance in the learning dept. Idk I just wasnt as sold as I thought I would be. I honestly have no idea what she would be learning day in and day out. They just have free play basically.

I know a few of you have your J15 babies in/or will be starting Montessori soon. What are your thoughts? How are you liking it?

[rachydc]

Thanks @traceyos , you're one of the main people I had in mind! It's just so hard to get used to a totally different style of learning than she's used to! Im going to read the links you posted right now

[rachydc]

Feb 13, 2017 11:49:58 GMT -5 @traceyos said:

Free play is the major advantage to me!! Toddlers don't need a curriculum or to learn letters. They learn by exploring.

For me, a program that "taught" or gave worksheets to our kids would be a deal breaker.

I'm the total opposite! Maybe because A is so high energy I feel like she needs more structure?? I dont know!

Im not against Montessori, I'm just trying to place my feelings because I didnt expect to be so torn

[italianmommy]

I have a hard time reconciling two opposing forces...

I love the Montessori concept of letting young children explore, learn at their own pace, be treated like an individual, not grilled with worksheets or curriculum.. YET will this adequately prepare my child for a traditional pre-K and K program? If you start with Monetssori and then switch your child into non-montessori, will that be harder for them to adjust? Will they be behind other classmates in Kindergarden who had more "traditional" schooling?
(I know these are individualized scenarios and there's not necessarily an answer to these questions... just my internal dialogue on the issues)

[rach]

I loved Montessori and was really disappointed when we didn't get a spot for my oldest. I like that you learn through more of a play approach; I think it's far more age appropriate. I also liked the exposure to multiple age groups.

If it doesn't feel right, I wouldn't stress over it though. It could be that school in general or maybe there's just another teaching method that's a better fit for A.

[ashiscute]

rachydc Montessori is not for everyone! It's okay if it's not for you and it's okay it is.

It would have been a very bad fit for DD. Her speech delay was pretty severe at 2.5- 3. And she is the type of person that needs more structure. Her school was still play based though. I think you'd be very hard pressed to find one that isn't.

[italianmommy]

lawandorder, I completely agree that Montessori is more developmentally appropriate for their age. However, I wish the current climate of Kindergarten's and early elementary schools also shared this philosophy. I'm a big believer that standardized testing is not an accurate way to measure intelligence of a child, just their ability to take tests well (though I also understand the argument for objective testing measures).
And also.. whyyyyy is Montessori more expensive?! That seems to be the trend by me and that's disappointing. I wish everything related to kids was more affordable.

[rachydc]

I think our decision has been made for us. The school has some normal breaks (spring break, xmas, etc...) which we were willing to accept and use as family vacation time. Looking at the calendar they handed us today, there's an additional TWO WEEKS back to back in August that the kids would be off (1 week holiday, 1 week teacher development)! WTF?! How do FT working families do this?! Im upset by this.

[rachydc]

Thanks for all the helpful input guys, I really appreciate it!!

[wells2010]

P's school does some Montessori concepts, but doesn't nearly fit in any category (that I know of at least). There are different centers and it's mainly play based and the kids have a good opportunity to participate in free play. They do structure it so they learn new letters, concepts, composers, etc each month. I won't be sending Hailey this year, but she will start at three at the same school as long as it still works for our family.

[rachydc]

Feb 13, 2017 12:13:20 GMT -5 @traceyos said:

Ooo also- I have a good friend who is really really really into Montessori. Her daughter is slightly older than ours, she turned 2 on NYE. Anyway she is in EI for speech and her speech therapist said not to put her into the Montessori program because it was too quiet. She wanted her to be around loud kids my friend was so upset but ended up sending her daughter to a more traditional school and is happy now.

So maybe at the very least see if A ends up in speech and if so get your therapist's opinion on it.

This makes me feel better and was one of my top concerns. Thank you

[imavera]

High energy kids actually tend to do better in a Montessori environment because it's a less stimulating environment while also surrounding them with more challenging activities. There's a lot less of the "sit here while we do this" type of stuff.

I didn't send my kids to Montessori, but I appreciate a lot of the model as a homeschool proponent. My niece DID go from 2.5 until 2nd grade. The age in which they start specific lessons is fairly fluid; you just have to be in the correct classroom (which are done by age groupings, for those unaware). She's now 2 years into a very elite private school and had zero issues handling it. It definitely is expensive due to the individualized attention that each child gets (although it was WAY less than what my sister is paying now, which makes my wallet hurt just being around them), and they do have pretty high expectations for potty training, too.

[lonegalathome]

DS2 is in Montessori 5 days from 830-1130, which is the full program at his school. There is an extended day option if you want to add it.

We came from 2 years at a play based preschool and he had been starting to struggle and shut down at school. I will second sharebear05 that my HIGH ENERGY 4 year old is THRIVING in Montessori.

In terms of academics, they have him putting together 3 letter words, reading simple books, and his math work is incredible to me. He is currently working with chains, so he make paper chains with these stamp things to understand how number multiply. So he'll sit at the table at home and say 3, 6,9, 12, 15, or 7,14,21,28 etc. This is more than DS1 was doing at this age in the play based but more traditional school run by our public school system. He now also knows all his continents, lots of countries, and talks a lot about differences and diversity among cultures. I love that so much of it is tactile.

I would like to see more gross motor play, but I make sure he gets that at home.

We love it so much we are supplementing his half day kindergarten (ugh) with their program. He'll be in the same class (I also love the mixed ages from 2.5-5 in the same classroom), in the mornings. They pull kindergartners from all the classrooms out for reading and word work for 45 minutes. Then he'll go to Kindergarten at the public school in the afternoon.

Montessori is cheaper for me than the public preschool was - so that was even a bonus. I drive an extra 15 minutes to take him there and it is totally worth it.

[lonegalathome]

Also rachydc, many daycares and preschools shut down here for 2 weeks in August. Its for mandatory cleaning and things like that. It's definitely a scramble for parents, but its fairly standard in these parts. So do be sure you check with others to make sure you won't be in the same predicament.

[rachydc]

Feb 13, 2017 13:35:59 GMT -5 lonegalathome said:

Also rachydc , many daycares and preschools shut down here for 2 weeks in August. Its for mandatory cleaning and things like that. It's definitely a scramble for parents, but its fairly standard in these parts. So do be sure you check with others to make sure you won't be in the same predicament.

There's just no way we can make that 2 week period work. Itd be too expensive (on top of an already $$ school) to get a nanny and we dont have the days off to take off and be with her

[rachydc]

Feb 13, 2017 13:35:02 GMT -5 lonegalathome said:

DS2 is in Montessori 5 days from 830-1130, which is the full program at his school. There is an extended day option if you want to add it.

We came from 2 years at a play based preschool and he had been starting to struggle and shut down at school. I will second sharebear05 that my HIGH ENERGY 4 year old is THRIVING in Montessori.

In terms of academics, they have him putting together 3 letter words, reading simple books, and his math work is incredible to me. He is currently working with chains, so he make paper chains with these stamp things to understand how number multiply. So he'll sit at the table at home and say 3, 6,9, 12, 15, or 7,14,21,28 etc. This is more than DS1 was doing at this age in the play based but more traditional school run by our public school system. He now also knows all his continents, lots of countries, and talks a lot about differences and diversity among cultures. I love that so much of it is tactile.

I would like to see more gross motor play, but I make sure he gets that at home.

We love it so much we are supplementing his half day kindergarten (ugh) with their program. He'll be in the same class (I also love the mixed ages from 2.5-5 in the same classroom), in the mornings. They pull kindergartners from all the classrooms out for reading and word work for 45 minutes. Then he'll go to Kindergarten at the public school in the afternoon.

Montessori is cheaper for me than the public preschool was - so that was even a bonus. I drive an extra 15 minutes to take him there and it is totally worth it.

I think she'd really benefit in the 3-6yr class rather than the 18-3 yr class she'd be put in. I think we'll have to stay in daycare now but may reconsider as she's older.   

[lonegalathome]

Feb 13, 2017 13:42:40 GMT -5 rachydc said:

Feb 13, 2017 13:35:59 GMT -5 lonegalathome said:

Also rachydc , many daycares and preschools shut down here for 2 weeks in August. Its for mandatory cleaning and things like that. It's definitely a scramble for parents, but its fairly standard in these parts. So do be sure you check with others to make sure you won't be in the same predicament.

There's just no way we can make that 2 week period work. Itd be too expensive (on top of an already $$ school) to get a nanny and we dont have the days off to take off and be with her

Oh I know! 
What I meant is make sure your daycare doesn't do the shut down. Here EVERYONE shuts down but one center so everyone is scrambling. 

[rachydc]

Feb 13, 2017 13:47:55 GMT -5 lonegalathome said:

Feb 13, 2017 13:42:40 GMT -5 rachydc said:

There's just no way we can make that 2 week period work. Itd be too expensive (on top of an already $$ school) to get a nanny and we dont have the days off to take off and be with her

Oh I know! 
What I meant is make sure your daycare doesn't do the shut down. Here EVERYONE shuts down but one center so everyone is scrambling. 

Oh they definitely do not! we've been at our daycare since 12 weeks so we're accustomed to their schedule. Actually, spoiled by it, they're rarely closed!

[pixiepink24]

There is a Waldorf School right down the street from me that I've been eyeing as well as an Reggio Emilia. But like someone else said, too expensive. Although I've seen some programs they do for one day a week for 10 weeks that might be affordable.

[yelah250]

I've been making my list of preschools we are considering, too. I won't send Rosie til she's 3 but I know that next year I'll be deep into deciding on middle school placement for my eldest child and won't be thinking too much about Rosalee.

Anyways, remember that not all Montessori schools are equal and it may not be a good one. I personally don't want letters introduced to my child til probably 4 so that wouldn't bother me. I agree with @traceyos that gross motor play is really important!

Top of my list is forest school. 3 hours a day all outside! Absolutely no formal learning inside. Totally different than what I did with my older kids (Reggio based classrooms) but I think it would be a really cool experience for her.

rachydc all schools will have breaks unless you have her in a traditional daycare. Family, neighbors, or babysitters would help out or you would take off work. Teacher development and vacation is really important for self care IMO.

[rachydc]

Feb 13, 2017 14:28:35 GMT -5 yelah250 said:

rachydc all schools will have breaks unless you have her in a traditional daycare. Family, neighbors, or babysitters would help out or you would take off work. Teacher development and vacation is really important for self care IMO.

I realize that.  We dont have the PTO to take off work (even combined), our families are both 4+ hours away and work for themselves so a day off would mean they dont get paid, all the neighbors we're friendly with work FT and wouldnt have the extra money to spend on top of an already $$ school for additional help. So, it's kind of a crapshoot for us at this moment. Which sucks, but I wasnt sold on it in the first place, and theyre pressuring us to pay the first full months tuition up front (only 5 spots left) bc theyre building an additional classroom for toddlers and need the money. The upfront money isn't an issue per se, but it definitely adds to the pressure since she wouldnt even be starting until late August!

Like I said, we were prepared for the other breaks, but these 2 weeks really kill us.

[girlmom]

I don't have any experience with Montessori schools, but both of mine are in a daycare center and my oldest is 4. I wouldn't necessarily say it is an academic preschool, but maybe it is? All daycare/preschools I've come across have focused on "play-based learning." They have a general schedule to their day and will focus on fine motor activities, gross motor activities, etc, but it is still play-based. I'm trying to think back to when they started to learn certain things... My J15 daughter is in a toddler classroom and they are practicing colors and counting. They do group activities (books, songs, art), but also have a lot of free time to just play with whatever they want. My 4 year old started to really focus on the alphabet when she was about 2 1/2 or 3. They have a letter of the week and do projects related to that letter, so she is starting to learn what sound each letter makes, as well as learning how to write it. I think it is a good mix of structure and free time - I like that they have both.

My advice would be to tour multiple facilities and go with your gut. I based a lot of my decision on how happy the kids seemed (especially the 3-4 year olds, because I saw the biggest difference there), and also how receptive the administrators and teachers were to my questions. Two other things I would add to my list now are the quality of the outdoor play area, and the quality of the food if applicable.

Good luck!

[rachydc]

Thanks for your input girlmom . I guess I didnt really clarify, but thought everyone knew, we've been in full time daycare since A was 12 weeks old. We picked the school mainly bc it was the only with with an open spot and because I knew a few people that had their kids there. I really like their learning/teaching style (which is play based and academic based) but their teachers are soooo low grade. Very friendly and love A, but you can tell they're not appropriately educated themselves and it's really been wearing on me. Hence our Montessori visit this morning. I guess we're just looking into daycares now, but I've been done this road and it doesn't yield much at all in this crazy city area :/

[nutmeg8484]

I'm just popping in to say that I'm jealous of all of the options you all have. Stupid ruralish living.

[amch8]

Feb 13, 2017 15:21:38 GMT -5 @traceyos said:

I wish we had more options too nutmeg8484. We have Montessori but would have to drive 30 min for reggio or Waldorf. We are touring one at the end of the week that seems reggio inspired but they don't mention it on their website. Big fat no to driving 30 min for preschool.

@traceyos please feel free to tell me about the good options in my area! Haven't done my research yet.

[Deleted]

Feb 13, 2017 12:54:13 GMT -5 lawandorder said:

Feb 13, 2017 12:43:44 GMT -5 italianmommy said:

lawandorder , I completely agree that Montessori is more developmentally appropriate for their age. However, I wish the current climate of Kindergarten's and early elementary schools also shared this philosophy. I'm a big believer that standardized testing is not an accurate way to measure intelligence of a child, just their ability to take tests well (though I also understand the argument for objective testing measures).
And also.. whyyyyy is Montessori more expensive?! That seems to be the trend by me and that's disappointing. I wish everything related to kids was more affordable.

I get that. I think age/maturity have much more to do with success in kindergarten than whether the kid when to a frou frou Waldorf or Montessori, or whether they went to a chain daycare/preschool.

Montessori is more expensive because middle- & upper-class parents are willing to pay for it whereas low-middle- and lower-class families don't have the time or resources to make early childhood education choices. You'd be hard pressed to find a legit, secular Waldorf or Montessori school in an economically disadvantaged neighborhood.

And this is where the achievement gap starts, IMO

[laurie12820]

M will go to the preschool program in our school district just like DD1 did. It was the right amount of free play and academics. It prepared DD1 well for Kindergarten and M will definitely need the structure. Even though it's part of the school district it does cost around $400/month, full day.

[kingsley123]

FYI, while reading/researching school programs, I've learned that not all Montessori schools are created equal. Unlike Waldorf, Montessori schools do not need to be registered or accredited to call themselves Montessori. I found this surprising, and thought I'd share.

[ncjulia12]

Feb 13, 2017 17:24:39 GMT -5 @ceci8876 said:

Feb 13, 2017 12:54:13 GMT -5 lawandorder said:

I get that. I think age/maturity have much more to do with success in kindergarten than whether the kid when to a frou frou Waldorf or Montessori, or whether they went to a chain daycare/preschool.

Montessori is more expensive because middle- & upper-class parents are willing to pay for it whereas low-middle- and lower-class families don't have the time or resources to make early childhood education choices. You'd be hard pressed to find a legit, secular Waldorf or Montessori school in an economically disadvantaged neighborhood.

And this is where the achievement gap starts, IMO

This. I know this an UO, but for most of our kids, I don't think any of this matters much. (I say this not in a judgy way, but in a "don't lose sleep over this" way.)

If you are concerned, educated, and privileged enough to research and consider different types of preschool, your children are already head and shoulders over millions of kids in America (not to mention the rest of the world).

We have all made sure our kids have been nurtured- physically, emotionally, academically- from birth and will continue to the rest of their lives. As long as your child's school is safe, has academic and development standards that are somewhere near average or better, keeps them excited about school and learning, and works for your family, it will be fine. (The exception always being if your child has special needs.)

Like, nutmeg8484, I'm in a place where I don't have any options beyond "traditional" preschool and I'm sure if I was in an area with more choices, I would definitely explore all of them and want to find the best fit for our family. And I'm completely interested in and read about all these different approaches to early childhood and education and may even be researching more in this field for my doctorate. But my interest is mostly in the effects of these different approaches on under-privileged kids, because that reflects the demographics of where I live and work, and in comparison, I know my own children don't need any additional advantages (at this time) to be on pace with, or ahead of their peers.

Sorry for the novel and I'm completely open to counterpoints. I know my view is skewed based on my experience and where I live.

TL/DR: Do what works for you. Don't stress, the kids will be fine.

[Deleted]

Feb 14, 2017 21:24:33 GMT -5 ncjulia12 said:

Feb 13, 2017 17:24:39 GMT -5 @ceci8876 said:

And this is where the achievement gap starts, IMO

This. I know this an UO, but for most of our kids, I don't think any of this matters much. (I say this not in a judgy way, but in a "don't lose sleep over this" way.)

If you are concerned, educated, and privileged enough to research and consider different types of preschool, your children are already head and shoulders over millions of kids in America (not to mention the rest of the world).

We have all made sure our kids have been nurtured- physically, emotionally, academically- from birth and will continue to the rest of their lives. As long as your child's school is safe, has academic and development standards that are somewhere near average or better, keeps them excited about school and learning, and works for your family, it will be fine. (The exception always being if your child has special needs.)

Like, nutmeg8484, I'm in a place where I don't have any options beyond "traditional" preschool and I'm sure if I was in an area with more choices, I would definitely explore all of them and want to find the best fit for our family. And I'm completely interested in and read about all these different approaches to early childhood and education and may even be researching more in this field for my doctorate. But my interest is mostly in the effects of these different approaches on under-privileged kids, because that reflects the demographics of where I live and work, and in comparison, I know my own children don't need any additional advantages (at this time) to be on pace, or above their peers.

Sorry for the novel and I'm completely open to counterpoints. I know my view is skewed based on my experience and where I live.

TL/DR: Do what works for you. Don't stress, the kids will be fine.

Church