Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

if so can you tell me what a typical day is like...

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

I just started reading Dr. Montessori's manual(I kindle it), and other books related. Id like to know too, I'm beyond impressed with it.

Did you find a specific school?

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

My kids go to Briarwood Montessori in Stony Brook. Brady does preschool and Cole is going there for kindergarten this year. It's a fabulous program. A typical day for Brady is:

drop off, choose "work" ( work is a variety of games, puzzles, manipulatives, etc) for independent play;

story time (it's amazing the way the teachers read stories ... There's a lesson in everything from author/illustrator to inference to reading);

circle time (calendar, weather, letter of the week ... Since it's Montessori it's very multi- sensory. The kids walk the letter on the floor, lay on the floor and make the shape of the letter - like sesame street used to - trace the sandpaper letter, etc.)

music and movement - they have instructors come into the class twice a week with all sorts of props; other days the teacher leads.

Snack - they provide, snack time is used to stress independence and responsibility. The kids line up, wash hands, pour their water into their cups, put trash in recycle bins

free play/crafts - the kids choose more work independently or play together at the centers (house, legos, trains, etc) ... Meanwhile a teacher works one to one with each student on a craft related to the letter of the week. Brady is three and uses scissors beautifully.

Playground or indoor group movement activity - Briarwood has a "natural playground" ... The whole thing is made of logs, big rocks, water play, sand pit, etc. It's beautiful and the kids get the chance to play creatively.

Group music activity/game

pick-up

I can't say enough about how much I love this school and teachers. The independence and self help skills are so important for a child's self esteem and truly sets them up to be successful learners. We've been touring schools for first grade and twice now a teacher has commented on how she loves Montessori kids because they transition so well into elementary school.

I will add that Briarwood is a progressive Montessori - some are more strict. In a strict Montessori school if the child wanted to play independently all the time and always do single work they would let him. I wanted more of a social environment where teachers facilitated and encouraged social skills as well, so briarwood is a great fit for us.

Feel free to FM me any questions. I'd love for Brady to have LIF friends there next year!!

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Message edited 2/4/2011 5:13:54 PM.

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

Thanks so much, I sent you an fm

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

Not yet but we are exploring montessori schools for DS.

Ultimately I want a nurturing environment for DS to thrive academically without too much pressure. I think montessori methods would promote learning in a way that is not too much pressure.

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

I wish there was a montessori school near me. I used to work at one and I love the approach

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

I use to work in a Montessori school. It wasn't a pleasant experience. I was in the 2-3 year old program. The kids weren't allowed to play together...AT ALL...It was like baby boot camp. They didn't believe in using a changing table . I had to change the little ones on a mat on the bathroom floor. You weren't allowed to comfort a kid if they were scared or not feeling well. Picking them up was a big no-no...The school I worked at was next to a fire whistle and when it went off and we were outside, the kids would scream and cry. One kid came running to me and I picked her up. I got in so much trouble. I left after a week. This place was beyond strict...It was scary...I doubt all of them are like that, but this one was. They have different ways of teaching. I believe in independent playtime, but to never let them play together was weird..It was super strict...I am hoping they have changed their ways since I worked there (ten years ago).....

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

I do not have a child in a Montessori school but I was a related service provider in one for a few years and I just wanted to add....
that in "my" montessori school, I worked with a lot of kindergarten students and with their teachers and was able to observe the entire class on multiple occasions. Certain academics such as letter identification, number identification, shape identification, color identification, scissor skills, drawing skills or handwriting skills were not addressed at all in the kindergarten program. In fact handwriting was not taught until the 2 or 3rd grade. so even though I do agree that the children were encouraged to socialize, explore, had great movement classes for gross motor skills and encouraged self help skills, the academics were not initially encouraged for the first few years.
Many children would attend the montessori school for Kindergarten and then switch to the public school (that I also worked at) and were very far behind many of the children that attended public school from the beginning in such tasks as coloring, handwriting and scissor skills as well as the ability to sit at a desk for an extended amount of time.
so i think it is important to look at if your child is going to remain in the montessori school through 8th grade or high school
I am not trying to start drama at all, just some food for thought. And like I said this was at "MY" montessori school - I have obviously not been to all of them and do not know how all of them operate.
And as the grades increased it seemed like the number of students in each class decreased (the 8th grade class had only 10 kids in in) and each teacher follows their students from kindergarten until 8th grade.

just another added note - I had a 5th grade student transfer from public into montessori and she was so far advanced when it came to their math, science and geography classes but she was far behind in their latin classes since latin is not taught in public schools.

ETA - I also feel like they were not very tolerant of related service providers coming in especially with goals that did not follow their program example- teaching a 1st grader how to write their name and letters properly

Message edited 2/4/2011 5:35:38 PM.

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

Message edited 2/4/2011 5:31:04 PM.

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

Thank you!

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

Just curious where these schools are? I don't know of any montessoris in Suffolk that go past kindergarten.
I can just relate our experience - and again, Briarwood is admittedly progressive in their philosophy (there's no way they would stay on a topic for 3 weeks) ... But it's interesting because Cole IS a special Ed student and has several related providers who push into the classroom daily. He's had OT for 3 years and couldn't get his proper grip, but the Montessori method of handwriting that is taught in his kindergarten has worked beautifully. In fact, his art work was just printed in the 3Village Times Record. (you know I'll post another pic cause I'm THAT kind if proud parent!)
I think the bottom line is you have to observe several schools and find one that's a fit for your child.

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

Message edited 2/4/2011 8:18:04 PM.

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

Both of my children will be starting a Montessori daycare program soon.

It took some time to understand the Montessori program but after observing the two rooms for several hours I am beyond excited for my boys to start.

The typical day for my 3.5 year old is pretty much the way Lea described it. The children have to do 3 Montessor "works" and then can do something like art. The teachers work with the students on each of the Montessori "works" to introduce it. A child can advance once they have mastered the skill and teachers observe and track their progress.

All of the parent's that have and have had kids go through the center rave about it. All have commented that their older children could read when they left the center.

We're not there yet so I can't really speak to the program but I liked what I saw.

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

My BFF, LIF name: maddysmommy has her DD going to a Montessori school in Islip. FM her and I'm sure she'd lend some insight too.

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

Oh and I wanted to add I love the kids mentoring each other. There are older kids in AJ's room 3 & 4yr olds. They are very respectful of the smaller ones. They teach them things. Its cute. All of the children are very respectful of each other's space.

But the 3 & 4yr olds are at different levels than AJ. Still each 'work project' can be utilized for any age group. Very useful.

Since AJ's Room included the older kids, she's now much more interested in potty training.

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool

Message edited 2/5/2011 12:34:50 AM.

Re: Does anyones child attend Montessori preschool