The Montessori Method

My girls go to Montessori for preschool. I also went to a Montessori so I am pretty familiar with the whole concept, but the principal at my girls' school realized that a lot of parents there do not understand it. She said some parents say to the their kids, "if you do your sound book today, we can...buy a new toy...go to McDonald's...whatever the kid has been asking for."

So NOT Montessori.

I don't get it. They pick Montessori and have no idea why. Maybe they've heard a Montessori school is a good school so they pick the closest one to home, maybe they think you get what you pay for as our school is more expensive than others in the area. Who knows, but how could they send their child to a program and have no idea what the program is about?

The principal decided to have the teacher's Montessori trainer come hold a lecture for the parents. It was last night. It was great! He explained the "Follow the Child" concept. This concept means that children have control over their learning. The adult is merely an observer in the child's development, directing, not correcting, when needed.

From www.montessori.edu

The potential of the child is not just mental, but is revealed only when the complete "Montessori method" is understood and followed. The child's choice, practical work, care of others and the environment, and above all the high levels of concentration reached when work is respected and not interrupted, reveal a human being that is superior not only academically, but emotionally and spiritually, a child who cares deeply about other people and the world, and who works to discover a unique and individual way to contribute. This is the essence of real "Montessori" work today.

I've been so happy with our Montessori experience. TheOldest has her strengths in the mathematics and she really shines there (along with burping, I suppose). TheMiddleChild is very strong verbally. She is very "advanced" when it comes doing the sound table, but advanced really doesn't mean anything in the Montessori world. Yes, she is showing a lot of interest in the sound table compared to other 3 year olds, but she is doing what she loves and is learning from it. I love it because it allows both of them to work on their strengths and weaknesses at their own pace.