Starting Montessori at age 6?

[Qestia]

Has anyone had their child do this? My son was in a traditional preschool and now a public K. He's doing well and likes school, but I've been looking for Montessori preschools for my daughter, and after visiting and observing I can see how Montessori would be so awesome for my son. Just wondering how the transition would be. Or if a school would even accept him.

[physmom]

I'm not sure about the transition (DD just started one at age 2 and we're hoping to bee there for awhile ) but you should definitely just ask the schools locally how they feel about accepting a 6 year old.  I know my school wouldn't have any problem with but they would ask you to do an adaptation period for about a week where you go with your son every day and they have a designated teacher that would stay with your son and show him how the classroom works. 

As for ease of transition it would probably depend on what was his educational experience up until this point as in if he enjoyed his previous school experience, if he expects the teacher to teach him or if he's a kid that drives his own learning more.  At 6 I'm sure he's still young enough to adjust but probably some backgrounds/personalities would make that adjustment easier than others.  Good luck with your decision!

[Pamlepper]

I'm sure he would do fine.  It might be a transition for him, but I'm sure he would love it. We just moved to a new area and  my sons just started going to a public Montessori charter school in the area.  They are ages 7 and 12.  They really enjoy it so far.  Good luck and I wish you the best of luck!  :)

[mattemma04]

My ds was almost 6 when he started.He got a few months of primary(loved it). My dd started lower el 3rd year at 8/9. I practised cursive and the symbols they used over words.She just had a lot of basics to learn that first year. Esentially all levels of lower el!

 I am sure your ds will do fine with the work.Some kids going into Montessori actually have issue with the freedom to move around and needing to choose their work.Many kids are used to strict control,and being told what to learn at every moment. Some kids can get a bit hyper with the freedom,but most settle down.

Only thing I hear from my kids is how they wish they could have had 3 full years of primary!

[indie]

My daughter started Montessori at age 6 after a regular public Kindergarten. Her teacher says that she has transitioned surprisingly well. My daughter has complained about being challenged more. I think a year in a standard class where the teacher did nothing to challenge the advanced students made her lazy. She got used to finishing her assignments in a couple minutes then playing around and wreaking havoc. The fact that there is always something else to do at Montessori was an adjustment. But she had no problems actually doing what was expected of her.

[indie]

By the way, she's 8 now. I just asked her how she felt about Montessori vs. her old school and she says she like Montessori because she can choose what to do.