montessori - is this usual?

[spughy]

I have a 3-year-old daughter, and we are pretty sure we want her in a Montessori school in September (she will be almost 4 at that point.) There are two possible schools in the area (maybe 3, but I think the third is full). I went to one this morning and got some info and peeked into a few classrooms with the school secretary, and I have a full tour booked next week with the directress. The classrooms are nice, seemed very calm and the kids happy, and I think DD will like it there. The two things that I wasn't expecting were that all the kids wear uniforms (dark navy, really boring) and from the literature I was given, there is a strong emphasis on developing kids' spirituality. The school describes itself as Christian Montessori.

So, are uniforms normal, and what purpose do they serve? Also, what aspects of Christianity are likely to be emphasized/taught/modeled (at this age) and how? My DH is Christian (Catholic, sorta, although heathen me knows more about Catholic doctrine than he does) but I am a pagan-leaning agnostic and although I have no problems with my DD developing her spirituality, I don't want her internalizing certain parts of Christian theology (like original sin). Do I have any cause for concern with this, do you think?

[GuildJenn]

I can't comment on the religious issue; our school is really diverse.

On the uniforms, we have uniforms. The school was just implementing them as we started; they hadn't had them before. I think it was mostly to resolve some conflict around what appropriate clothing was and perhaps some concern over branding.

I don't mind the uniforms; the polos are pricey but so far they have held up really well (we own 5, but the school doesn't require uniforms on Fridays, so we usually have one in reserve ). We can pair them with inexpensive navy trousers, or at least we do. They have hats for field trips. There are other items (jumpers, vests) but they're not required (we bought one vest).

[mamalemon]

I don't know about the Christian aspect, but it would honestly turn me off. Religion and spirituality are things that I want taught at home, if at all.

Our school does not do uniforms, but I understand their purpose. In theory, they keep children's focus on academics and the classroom instead of fashion. I have heard three year old's discussing shoe brands at my DS's school. If it isn't that, it is what licensed character one kid is wearing vs. another.

Schools that use uniforms may also be attempting to stop division based on wealth among students, although this doesn't work in my experience.

[BCFD]

Our school is an extremely diverse, non religious school, as well. Religion is not taught, however it may or may not be a discussion at this point in the cultural area (DD1 and DD2 are in Children's House). They do say a prayer before they eat - "Thank you for our food and friends. Amen." They aren't thanking a god of some sort and I would flip out if I ever heard that. I agree and also want my kids to be taught about religion at home. Learning about different religions is one thing, being preached at in school is another. I actually had a problem with a big Jesus picture in DD1's old classroom and commented about it. The school rents a church building for two of their toddler classes (ages 18 mo. - 3) and the church holds Sunday school in that building. They just forgot to pull the blind down over it. It was awkward bringing my child to her Montessori school and seeing a lifesize painting of Jesus looming over the children. Luckily, she's in the main building now and we don't have to worry about that.

As for the uniforms, I love it. Right now they are at a private preschool for CH, but I am hoping next year we get DD1 into a Mont charter school. They have a very loose uniform code, but I love that there can be no licensed character clothing, shoes, backpacks, lunchboxes, etc. No shoes with flashing lights (UGGGH!!!! Hate 'em), no visible temporary tattoo's, etc. They can wear t-shirts and sweatshirts with the school logo and tan or dark pants (no jeans). They can wear the fancy French Toast uniforms if they want. When we toured the school, it was mostly casual attire - khaki or dark pants, t-shirts, polo shirts, uniform type skirts/skorts. What I loved the most was that there was no Diego or Spiderman logo's looming around the room! LOVE it!

[mightymoo]

Definitely not normal for the 3 montessori schools in our area. At our school christianity is probably the minority religion anyway. However, neither of the other nearby schools either wear uniforms or promote any specific religion.

[MattBronsil]

There are uniforms in some schools...not too unusual. I'd discuss the religion with the school. Most (key word) places that use religion know what is age appropriate. The hard part for me might be if they do stuff like teach creationism or something similar.

[CityParkMom]

My DD goes to a religious Montessori...Maria Montessori was actually a devout Catholic. The religion is a big part of her classroom experience, if I didn't want that aspect, I really would not send them to a Christian school...especially one that says "strong emphasis" on it. DD also has uniforms but not until 1st grade (the school goes up to 8th). The 3-6 primary room does not require them.

[spughy]

Originally Posted by CityParkMom

My DD goes to a religious Montessori...Maria Montessori was actually a devout Catholic. The religion is a big part of her classroom experience, if I didn't want that aspect, I really would not send them to a Christian school...especially one that says "strong emphasis" on it. DD also has uniforms but not until 1st grade (the school goes up to 8th). The 3-6 primary room does not require them.

Can you tell me more about what aspects of religion children in the 3-6 room are encouraged to explore? How are the religious materials presented? What kind of spiritual attitudes/behaviours do the teachers model or encourage? Is there daily prayer, and if so, in what context and what is the substance of the prayer? Do the children have input into the prayer? thanks!

[MattBronsil]

Originally Posted by spughy

Can you tell me more about what aspects of religion children in the 3-6 room are encouraged to explore? How are the religious materials presented? What kind of spiritual attitudes/behaviours do the teachers model or encourage? Is there daily prayer, and if so, in what context and what is the substance of the prayer? Do the children have input into the prayer? thanks!

What denomination is this school you're looking at?

[spughy]

Originally Posted by MattBronsil

What denomination is this school you're looking at?

They just say "Christian". So, hard to tell. Maria Montessori was Catholic, of course, but I don't know about this school yet. I will ask next week when I take DD for a tour.

[daytripper75]

Our school is Catholic. They pray daily, both free form and recitations. They do get to input their thoughts into their prayers. They talk about Jesus and have chapel one day a week.
So far my lo hasn't come home with anything off the wall. We were raised Catholic but aren't currently practicing.

Be sure to ask all of your questions at the school. It is better to know right from the start if the school is going to be a good fit or not. No use trying to put a square peg in a round hole. Nothing is wrong with the peg or the hole, they just don't belong together.

[MattBronsil]

Originally Posted by spughy

They just say "Christian". So, hard to tell. Maria Montessori was Catholic, of course, but I don't know about this school yet. I will ask next week when I take DD for a tour.

It's probably a non denominational church, then. So it can be a range of what you feel is very age appropriate to way out of line ("The world's ending tomorrow and it's the fault of the gay people who go around doing pagan rituals at night in front of a golden calf.")

Well...I doubt it would be quite THAT bad, but you know what I mean.

[spughy]

Originally Posted by MattBronsil

It's probably a non denominational church, then. So it can be a range of what you feel is very age appropriate to way out of line ("The world's ending tomorrow and it's the fault of the gay people who go around doing pagan rituals at night in front of a golden calf.")

Well...I doubt it would be quite THAT bad, but you know what I mean.

This is a pretty liberal part of the continent, I'd be surprised if even a "traditional school" here could get away with that sort of thing. The pagans would be just as upset as the gay folks.

[MattBronsil]

Originally Posted by spughy

This is a pretty liberal part of the continent, I'd be surprised if even a "traditional school" here could get away with that sort of thing. The pagans would be just as upset as the gay folks.

Don't forget the calf...

[wrzos]

Our school is not religiously affiliated - so no help there. I do have a younger daughter attending a mother's morning out in a baptist church (they have a play based preschool as well), and I can share some of the things she's come home with, as it is probably pretty standard across 'Christian' schools...

-- singing church songs (e.g. Jesus love me, a thank you Father prayer song for before meals, If you are happy & you know it, etc.)
-- LOTS of religious stuff around the holidays, from the little people nativity, to christmas trees, posters of the holy family, etc.
-- they attend a chapel once a week - roughly 10 minutes in an atrium part of the hallway where they sing a song, say a prayer or whatever. Basically, they cover early facts for the church: god and his son (Jesus) , mother mary, etc

Hmm... I think that covers it. We are practicing Catholics, so it doesn't bother us, but I can definitely see where if you weren't any type of Christian, that they would be 'too much', kwim?

As for the uniforms, we don't have them at our M school, but do have many of the dress code restirctions that BCFD mentioned: no characters on anything, no light up shoes, etc. They have school shirts that the students are required to wear while out on field trips - but these are just simple polo shirts.

[arwenevenstar]

Thing is, the name Montessori is out there on the world wide web for anyone to use or develop in the way they feel suits their purpose. In the strict sense of the word, Montessori would not be a Christian organisation, it teaches about evolution and primarily a big bang type theory and "the cosmos" in one of the five great lessons in Elementary - not sure that'd sit right with the Christian beliefs.

[MattBronsil]

Originally Posted by arwenevenstar

Thing is, the name Montessori is out there on the world wide web for anyone to use or develop in the way they feel suits their purpose. In the strict sense of the word, Montessori would not be a Christian organisation, it teaches about evolution and primarily a big bang type theory and "the cosmos" in one of the five great lessons in Elementary - not sure that'd sit right with the Christian beliefs.

Sure it would sit well for most major Christian denominations.

If it's a smaller church not affiliated with a denomination, most would not agree with that. There are also the larger denominations that do not accept evolution as valid as well. But for 3-6, that part of science isn't brought up very often. Those discussions really begin to happen in 6-9.

[arwenevenstar]

Originally Posted by MattBronsil

Sure it would sit well for most major Christian denominations.

If it's a smaller church not affiliated with a denomination, most would not agree with that. There are also the larger denominations that do not accept evolution as valid as well. But for 3-6, that part of science isn't brought up very often. Those discussions really begin to happen in 6-9.

Eh? Last time I checked, the bible seemed to believe in the world beginning with Adam and Eve. As far as I am aware, the Christian faith follows that thinking.
I can see that for 3 - 6 it wouldn't encroach on the teachings of montessori, but 6 - 9, I think there are descrepancies that any strict Christian organisation may not agree with.

I also know that there are many adaptations on a theme and that Montessori can be adapted, as can interpretation of the bible, but to put the two exactly together in the strictest sense of the word and you have a conflict of interest.

[Global Mama]

Uniforms and religion are definitely not generally associated with the Montessori method...but there is a huge variation among individual schools going by the Montessori name. I would say, don't be afraid to ask *exactly* how Christianity is presented to the children. Key phrase to look for in their response: Developmentally Appropriate! Some big topics, such as Heaven & Hell, can be overwhelming to young children, and they should recognize this. I just wrote an article about Montessori education, here's the link in case you're interested:
Hunting For A Preschool, Part 1: Montessori
Hope this helps!

[spughy]

Great article, thank you! As an update, I found out that my daughter will most likely be able to attend the other (non-Christian) Montessori school in the fall, but we will still be touring the Christian one next week.