montessori vs reggio?

[bobandjess99]

So, there are 2 really good preschools here in town with great reps. 1 is montessori, and 1 is reggio.
I have been reading, and just can't decide which is better...I like things about both of them.....
I'm not even sure what my question is....LOL.
I just feel like I don't know enough to make a good decision.
What info *should* i know? Is there someplace which compares the 2? How did you pick 1 over the other? I'm just confused.....

[JuniperMama]

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[mimiharshe]

I'm curious too. I had the same option. We decided to go w/the montessori b/c it has a toddler program for ds...so he'll be at the same school as his sister. however, when he turns 3, i might look into the reggio again for them. i have dd on the waiting list now. They both seem really hands on, right?

[honeybee]

We have both in our area. I read a lot about both philosophies, and was really excited about Reggio. Then I visited both schools. The Reggio school seemed like it would be really chaotic: lots of noise, a smaller space, observers in often, parents dropping off kids at all different times, etc. I kept asking, "Well, when should I bring ds in if we're just doing part-time three days a week?" and they just said whenever you want. I could just see my ds getting sensorially overwhelmed and not really fitting in because he wasn't there full time like most of the other kids.

The Montessori school, on the other hand, was so peaceful and quiet with a very warm and wonderful teacher who I just immediately sensed would be wonderful. Then I did more in-depth research on Montessori, and I was hooked. Ds starts on Monday.

So, I don't think you CAN make a decision until you've visited both schools and asked all the questions that are important to you. It's more about seeing how the individual school fits with a particular family or child.

[1mamaroo]

I agree about the calm feeling at both of the Montessori schools I've been to. We don't have Reggio here, but there was a very noticable comfort feeling at the M as compared to the other "regular" preschools we visited (pretty chaotic). My ds (nearly 3) starts next week! I am nervous, but trying to transfer that to just being excited.