Any drawbacks?

[SheepNumber97245]

I'm strongly considering putting my son in a Montessori school when the time comes. So far I like what I hear, and the only bad things I've heard were directed more towards certain schools, not the idea of Montessori itself.

For those of you who have kids in M schools or have gone to them, are there any cons? Any drawbacks, things you didn't like?

[BCFD]

I would agree with what you said. I spent a lot of time in many different Montessori school observing classes and talking to teachers and owners before settling on the school that DD is in. There are a LOT of bad schools out there - Montessori or otherwise. I'm sure there are bad co-op's, Waldorf schools, and Reggio schools. There are bad Head Start programs and there are a lot of not so great teachers.

There is nothing about the Montessori method that I don't like. Personally, I think it's a perfect, well thought out pedagogy!

[maddymama]

Hi Mama,
The only drawback to the Montessori method (and this is only my OPINION) is that some children have a difficult time transitioning out of M into more traditional schooling, either at the secondary or post-secondary level. I don't know if this is due to the individual or to the programs not transitioning the kiddos out, but some students have trouble operating in a traditional school setting effectively.
~maddymama

[SheepNumber97245]

Originally Posted by maddymama

Hi Mama,
The only drawback to the Montessori method (and this is only my OPINION) is that some children have a difficult time transitioning out of M into more traditional schooling, either at the secondary or post-secondary level. I don't know if this is due to the individual or to the programs not transitioning the kiddos out, but some students have trouble operating in a traditional school setting effectively.
~maddymama

Thanks! I was wondering about that.

[bobandjess99]

I have to second the transition part..here , we have a 3-6 room and 6-9 room, then they spend 1 yr in a "transition" room at age 9-10 (4th grade) and then are thrown to the wolves..I mean, they go to 5th grade in the middle schools like everyone else. I can't imagine how rough that transition is. Since we will just be pulling her out to homeschool after age 9, or else ponying up the money to send her to $$$$$ Montessori private school (which has a 9-12 room)at that point, it's not an issue for us, so we are okay with it...

[MattBronsil]

It's always been an interesting point raised - how that transition time is often difficult.

Imagine a rare disease that you obviously don't want to get. You get it and you find out about it. That time period when you find out would be extremely difficult. But is it really a problem with your healthy life that the disease is a difficult transition?

I think one drawback to consider in the method itself is that Montessori is not for every family. Parents that want their child to compete for straight A+ grades is not right for Montessori. Parents that want their children to be able to run them over with a steam roller is not right for Montessori. The most inherent problem is that some parents don't want their child to become independent, love learning, and really see things as influencing part of the community. So Montessori cannot cater to every parent's ideals.

[nkm1968]

I'd have to second Matt's post........Montessori has been great for us because I want my kids to have a relaxed, authentic childhood, which meets with the Montessori pedagogy of following the child.........I have many good friends who just hated Montessori because they felt they were purchasing this high-octane "step up" to brilliance for their kids and were then super pissed off that it didn't happen...I tried to point out that they were essentially entering a community where ALL the kids had a boost upwards due to high achieving parents, optimal 0-3 home environments, going into public schools whare the "average" IQ is around 115, but to no avail. Some folks are looking for something other than what Montessori IS, and will not be happy there.

[BCFD]

Originally Posted by MattBronsil

I think one drawback to consider in the method itself is that Montessori is not for every family. Parents that want their child to compete for straight A+ grades is not right for Montessori. Parents that want their children to be able to run them over with a steam roller is not right for Montessori. The most inherent problem is that some parents don't want their child to become independent, love learning, and really see things as influencing part of the community. So Montessori cannot cater to every parent's ideals.

Matt, this sounds like an amazing quote that you would see in a magazine or book or something. May I quote you??? Love, love, love this statement! :

[MattBronsil]

Originally Posted by BCFD

Matt, this sounds like an amazing quote that you would see in a magazine or book or something. May I quote you??? Love, love, love this statement! :

Sure

The thought itself came from a video Tim Seldin put online talking about an interaction he had with the board of directors of his school where he refused to admit a student into the school because the parents were not really interested in Montessori at all.

The way I phrased my idea is mine, though, so quote away. hehe

Matt

[shrinkmom]

So, Matt and anyone else, what can be done to help students transition out of Montessori (or adjust to the horrible disease of non-Montessori schools)? I'm curious about this as Montessori only goes through 8th grade in my town.

[MattBronsil]

Originally Posted by shrinkmom

So, Matt and anyone else, what can be done to help students transition out of Montessori (or adjust to the horrible disease of non-Montessori schools)? I'm curious about this as Montessori only goes through 8th grade in my town.

The best way to prepare a child to transition out of Montessori is to send them to a Montessori school. Sounds silly, I know. Montessori is designed to help people grow independent. It's designed to get students thinking in their own and developing creative solutions to problems they encounter. So they will be fine...just takes time for some.

[Kushali]

Another option to help transition is to find a traditional school that does multi-age or split classrooms. My experience is that traditional classes multiple grades can be a nice stepping stone for a montessori kid. There will be the a range of abilities and often those teachers are more accepting that not everyone will be doing exactly the same thing at exactly the same time.

I've heard from others that transitioning later (after 3rd grade or after elementary) is often easier. Perhaps because older kids are more aware that there are different types of schools and have a better idea what to expect at a traditional school.