Want to hear Montessori opinions, please...

[MamaLuna]

I am considering becoming a Montessori teacher (of 3-6 age group), but would like to know more about it before I dive into it.
So... those of you who have experienced Montessori, what are the pros/cons of the method? Do you like it?

Furthermore, don't know if anyone can help me trying to figure this one out, but I am wondering how realistic it would be for me to start a montessori kindergarten on my own, since there are none in my area (well, the nearest is an hour away, but way too far for me for the long term...)...

Anyways, thank you all for sharing any input you may have....

[Kirsten]

Honestly I am not a big Montessori fan. I am more a co-op preschool type myself. But as I see it:
Pros: great toys! and the kids learn a lot of independence by doing things themselves. multi-age groupings have positive aspects though I am unsure if I am for it at this young age - I am more a fan in elementary age kids.
Cons: too structured in how the kids are allowed to play with the toys. Stifles imagination and socialization IMO.
And as far as opening a Montessori preschool - I would think it would be necessary to have a preschool and kindergarten to make any money but maybe I'm wrong. Where I live, most kids who do Montessori kindergarten do so at the same place where they did Montessori preschool.
Just my two cents.
Good luck deciding.
Kirsten

[sunmountain]

Montessori works for us b/c we see school as their job, and they play all they want when they get home (and of course recess at school). I like that the kids move around the classroom but can't move into eachother's "workspaces". I like that my 5yo has learned a certain way to hold a pitcher and pour water/beads/beans/marbles into a dish and how to return them with a spoon. He revels in the different sounds the object make as they fall and how different objects can be different weights. He learns more than I could ever explain to him because he, himself, is ultimately in charge of and innately directed toward learning.
I like that my 8yo is given time to journal and is given free reign in that area. He wrote a bunch of "gibberish" in it once and told the teacher it was " a secret language" Gibberish to us...but to him something else. I have found it fosters problem solving skills as well as immagination. I feel it teaches them to live in the world and be a contributing member of society and the family.


my 2 cents...baby crying...

[mommy22]

In my opinion, there are no negatives in Montessori. My children, now ages 9 and 7 are still in Montessori, have been since age 3, and plan on staying at least thru 8th grade.

I think getting certified as a Mont. teacher is a fantastic career move. I have done alot of research while looking for the right education for my children. What I discovered along the way is that certified Montessori teachers are hard to come by. The most popular age groups for those that are certified are preschool. That includes kindergarten for Montessori. If you continue with your certification, you can be almost garanteed a job for the rest of your life.

If I got to start my life over, I would not only get certified, but I would open a Montessori school. The school would go at least thru 5 th grade. But for me the perfect school setting would be a Montessori school from preschool thru 12th grade.

In short, yes...get certified. Think big...you may just end up changing the world!!!

[MamaLuna]

Thank you all for your responses and support... You each had good insight into Montessori, I think. I had asked a friend just the other day about it, and she gave me the exact response you did, Kristen (too structured, stifles imagination)! But, I like the other stuff about it too, so who knows...
And as far as opening my own, I have since discovered that I cannot apply for any grants without a college degree (which I do not have). So I have decided to go the route I had originally planned on, and to just start slowly taking classes toward getting a bach. degree, possibly in education, but then I still have time to decide what I want to do. So, it's possible montessori may still come later. One step at a time I guess!
Thanks again!