Uniforms in a Montessori program

[MacKinnon]

A new Montessori program will be opening in our town. They are affiliated with a local charter school that requires uniforms. So, they are requiring uniforms in the 4-6 room (really it is a 4/5 room with kindy kids on their alternate days). The other rooms, infant-3, don't require uniforms. They are being "flexible" on the fabrics and whom you purchase from, where in Kindy, you don't have those choices. Any thoughts on how uniforms fit/don't fit in a Montessori program?

[alegna]

*Personally* I feel that a uniform goes against many montessori ideals. BUT many of our local montessori programs require uniforms.

-Angela

[MattBronsil]

Either way, you're not going to be able to go against the Charter on it.

To the best of my knowledge, Maria Montessori never talked about uniforms. My guess is that would be a social issue and should be something that fits the culture of the school itself.

[bobandjess99]

Our school doesn't have uniforms this year, but is looking to get them for next year. Our school district has a weird policy....each individual school gets to vote whether they want uniforms or not. So..about half the schools have uniforms and half do not. Each year another one or two vote yes, and soon, they will likely all have uniforms. (mid-size city school district, 21,000 students, 35 buildings) to the best of my knowledge, once a school goes to uniforms, they do not change back. i'm not completely sure of the policy, it's out first year in the system.

[Lillianna]

The thing about uniforms is that they are meant to solve the problem of distracting or otherwise inappropriate attire, right?

At many Montessori schools, there are policies that address the specific types of clothing and what a student can wear (non-restrictive, self-able) and cannot wear (distracting, violent graphics or too revealing)....

I think uniforms seem out of place because it does not align with Montessori principles of freedom, choice and independence or with individuality and self-expression. There are not many M schools that require uniforms, I don't know of any AMI schools that do.

Montessori students in various countries certainly dress in the customary way for that time and place.

Ilovemyavery - I'm just curious, what do you mean about the kindy kids and the alternate days. How does that work?

[MacKinnon]

Thanks for your replies. I don't really think this is a "true" Montessori program.They told me that they are taking the best from play based and the best from Montessori. Either way, uniforms don't feel right. It's housed in their child care center, not their school, so although they require uniforms K-12, they don't birth-3 in the center, YKWIM? The 4 year olds are the only ones in uniform at the preschool.

Lillianna- They have two rooms, one for 5 day kids, one for alternate day kids. Their kindy program is two days one week, three the next. So the kindy kids that need full day child care can choose to go to the preschool for their alternate days. Make some sense?

[MattBronsil]

Originally Posted by ilovemyavery

Thanks for your replies. I don't really think this is a "true" Montessori program.They told me that they are taking the best from play based and the best from Montessori.

That would have been the moment I thanked them for their time and left.

I like chocolate.
I like cheese.
I like beer.

Doesn't mean I think the best tasting thing is to throw them in the blender.

Same thing with education. Often times, mixing distinctly different ideals just leaves you with something that is the philosophical equivalent of a chocolate cheese beer milkshake.

Matt

[Flor]

Though I would have been disgusted with the idea of uniforms as a kid, as a teacher, I don't have a problem with them. The uniforms around here are khaki or black pants or shorts and white or green polo shirts or something. They just seem like simple kid play clothes. Our Montessori school doesnt use them, but the Waldorf around here has clothing restrictions like no characters, no heels, no revealing clothes, etc. in other words, just regular kid play clothes. I can't believe the clothing-involved drama at the public middle school where I work. I really don't think the clothing you wear is a very deep reflection of self expression. I think it is more an expression of social class. For my own children, I hope they will expres themselves through their art, their work, their words, their actions, rather than their clothing. I do have a gut anti-uniform reaction, and I guess it is that I like my Montessori school to look crunchier than that. I associate uniforms with different kinds of schools, but I do understand the reasoning. Around here uniforms are supposed to deal with distractions and class issues.

[KBecks]

I don't see uniforms as a big deal, especially if there is enough variety for the kids to have comfortable choices.

[Koloe]

Originally Posted by MattBronsil

That would have been the moment I thanked them for their time and left.

I like chocolate.
I like cheese.
I like beer.

Doesn't mean I think the best tasting thing is to throw them in the blender.

Same thing with education. Often times, mixing distinctly different ideals just leaves you with something that is the philosophical equivalent of a chocolate cheese beer milkshake.

Matt

I wouldn't be surprised if someone in WI makes chocolate beer cheese. I know there is chocolate cheese and I've been told it's good. So just because it's a strange mix doesn't mean it doesn't work. But always some thing to approach with caution.

[Lillianna]

Originally Posted by MattBronsil

That would have been the moment I thanked them for their time and left.

I like chocolate.
I like cheese.
I like beer.

Doesn't mean I think the best tasting thing is to throw them in the blender.

Same thing with education. Often times, mixing distinctly different ideals just leaves you with something that is the philosophical equivalent of a chocolate cheese beer milkshake.

Matt

very funny, what a visual!

You bring up an interesting point here. I know what you're saying and I agree with you that when you hear this, the Montessori is definitely not being fully implemented. But from my perspective, Montessori and play-based actually have a few similarities...(unstructured, child-led, developmentally appropriate activities). Actually, IMO all "preschool" and "child care" settings owe a debt to M for drawing attention to this "untapped" natural resource.

[wrzos]

I agree with Lilianna - I'm a huge M fan, but if that type of school wasn't available to me, then I'd be looking at a play-based preschool, perhaps a co-op for my children. I believe there is quite a bit of overlap in big-picture philosophical areas, especially for the younger child.

[OnTheBrink]

My daughter just started her fifth and my son his first year at our M school. It's a public charter school for K-6th and a private preschool for the youngers. So some of the kids in the 3-6 class are private school kids and some (Ks) are public school kids. They kids don't notice that at all, though.

Anyway - we have uniforms. I love it. They get to choose any khaki bottoms from three stores and any solid color polo with the school logo from Lands End. There is a huge mix of style and appearance, but within the chosen guidelines. They can wear any socks, tights, hair accesories, jewelry, etc they want as long as they are not distracting, don't have characters, and don't have violent images. Same goes for shoes, but they wear those for such a short amount of time each day that it doesn't seem to matter.

[MattBronsil]

Originally Posted by Lillianna

very funny, what a visual!

You bring up an interesting point here. I know what you're saying and I agree with you that when you hear this, the Montessori is definitely not being fully implemented. But from my perspective, Montessori and play-based actually have a few similarities...(unstructured, child-led, developmentally appropriate activities). Actually, IMO all "preschool" and "child care" settings owe a debt to M for drawing attention to this "untapped" natural resource.

I agree as well. I'm willing to bet that what we will usually see in these types of schools, though, is just a mess of whatever idea they tend to fly with for the time. (Note that I said "usually")

I'm not one to knock play based schools either. Just think if you tend to just combine stuff for the sake of combining it, none of it comes out really well. There should be a specific reason why we do every specific thing we do. I think there are so many schools that have Montessori so they can market the name and that's their primary concern. I wonder if this is one of those schools.

Matt

[BCFD]

LOL Matt!!!! "I like beer" Too funny!

My DD's school only goes to kindy, so there are no uniforms. The local charter school that we are praying we get into next year does have a very loose uniform code. I think they say "khaki or dark blue bottoms and white tops" I forget exactly what it is, but all the kids can choose a uniform from any company (oh, I'll be going to the thrift stores once they confirm DD's enrollment!) just as long as the colors are appropriate.

Personally, I love uniforms. In DD's school I see way too many kids wearing Dora, Diego, Elmo, etc. shirts and shoes. I let my kids watch those shows, but they have never worn character clothing. It just makes my skin crawl. So, I'm glad that when they are going K-8 at the charter school so they can avoid the character clothing while at school.

[MacKinnon]

Ack.. I posted a long reply and lost it! I hate that...

Anyway, the upshot is that this program is tied to a very succesful charter school. They have had no problem enrolling. I don't think that the Montessori label was at all needed to enroll kids.

I'm not as clear on their intent as I would like to be. It's a long saga that I typed once and lost, but the upshot is that I have had trouble getting ahold of the director and have not talked with them at length about their programming intent and how "Montessori" they intend to be. I've heard the "we take the best from both approaches" line twice now from their office manager. It's a brand new program, the building isn't even done yet. So I can't see anything in action. I really have to decide before I see the space. I'll be calling again tomorrow to get ahold of the director and talk about the actual philosphy and programming.

Thanks for all the replies!

[spottiew]

Originally Posted by MattBronsil

That would have been the moment I thanked them for their time and left.

I like chocolate.
I like cheese.
I like beer.

Doesn't mean I think the best tasting thing is to throw them in the blender.

Same thing with education. Often times, mixing distinctly different ideals just leaves you with something that is the philosophical equivalent of a chocolate cheese beer milkshake.

Matt

I don't see Montessori and play-based as total opposites? I had thought of Work as really play to kids... kid plays with lock board at home and as work at school.

Nor do I like the idea that you must pick one philosophy that fits best, lumps and all... I don't swear by any one parenting book, I take some from one and some from another.

And I dislike uniforms, but if my kid wanted it, I would let him. If he said no, wouldn't happen. I could see it happening here if people wouldn't follow the dress code, but luckily, they all so (no characters, basically).

[BabyGow]

Our schools are requiring uniforms next year and they are required for field trips this year. I love the idea for a few reasons:

1) On their nature walks and field trips, all children are easily recognized by parents and teachers.(Our school is private and the parents must volunteer to transport children and supervise on field trips..not all parents, just the ones that want to)

2) It provides unity within the school and gets rid of the stigma of clothing as status message.

3) It makes school shopping easier!

4) In many that I have seen of Montessori schools in Europe(I lived there for over 2 years and saw many M schools), they all had children dressed in the same type of outfits...dark bottoms and white shirts mainly.

5) If all of the restrictions about characters, colors, types of clothing..it just makes sense to go with a uniform and provide less headaches

Just my 2 cents though and as usual everyone is entitled to disagree

[katiemoon]

My son is in first grade (in a 1-3rd class) at a public Magnet Montessori school. His school is in a very poor neighborhood, and also takes in school-choice students. They are a completely uniform school, as I think most of the poorer neighborhood schools in our area. I think the uniforms are fantastic. They really level the playing field for the students, and take away any insecurities some of the students may have from not having the kinds of clothes some of the more affluent students may have. We actually raise money to buy nice socks and shoes for some of the kids who may have old/dingy shoes as well.

I am a Montessorian, (my mom ran 3 AMI schools) and my kids are now 3rd generation Montessorians. I'm really not sure how uniforms would go against Montessori phillosophy. If I got to express myself through my clothing, I'd wear all Prada and Gucci, I can't afford that, so I "express" myself through Target currently. I think the children are better to express themselves through success in their work.

JMO

[Jilian]

DS just started kindergarten in a montessori charter school and they require uniforms. Pretty much all of the schools in our area require uniforms. I actually like the idea. They offer many choices and the public schools do not. The kids can wear any bottoms that they choose and they can were any color polo, tee, or long sleeve shirt. It just has to have the school patch on it.