[fireflies~for~me]

I have found a Montessori preschool that I really really like...spent several hours there and Sam seemed to thrive at what they were doing. We are considering planning to start him in the summer 3 days a week.<br><br>
That said, my parenting style is pretty loose at home...I don't require a lot of structure or neatness at home. DH probably parents more in this way.<br><br>
I see this maybe as a positive though? That he would have structure and more focus on academics along with play with other kids and then at home, more freedom to bulldoze with his trucks and pretend that he is a this or a that...not that they won't do some of that there, but obviously not the primary focus.<br><br>
Or...should there be some congruity????

 

[flyingspaghettimama]

Nope - your thoughts are spot-on - you don't need to have the same environment at home as at school, in my opinion. We sure don't! We do have similar disciplinary styles, but that's about it.

 

[butternut]

I agree that the environments do not need to be the same nor do the routines need to be the same. What I do see as being the same for us at our school and at home is the view that each child is unique and will develop at his own pace and will pursue his own interests at the right time if given the space and tools needed to do so. And that can definitely happen at home or at school! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[xtranath]

No, I dont't think that you need exact congruity. But you could take some ideas though, provided that it suits you... Like, for instance, I introduced a similar routine "coming home", removing coat and hats, hooking them... Actually, I find that very usefuk, not for my son .. but for ME ... !!!! (I asked DH to be consistent with this and no more coat either of DH or of DS on the couch when I come back home is good...) I think the discipline style should be similar in some ways... (not necessarily, but it will help) and the idea that your environment should be adapted for your children and your attitude generaly respectful. I thinkyour home will always be more "relax" than a stricly Montessori environment anyway, and that's not a problem...

 

[flyingspaghettimama]

Here's a simple article on easy things to do at home, if desired:<br><br><a href="http://www.montessorimagazine.com/magazinebody14.html" target="_blank">http://www.montessorimagazine.com/magazinebody14.html</a>

 

[bananahands]

This has been a useful discussion for me. We are considering moving to a Montessori day care/preschool when our twins are older and I return to work, and I've been trying to learn more about it now in anticipation and preparation.<br><br>
I've considered this very question and worried that I would end up undermining the Montessori methodology. We've adapted our home to reflect many of the suggestions we've come upon (to everyone's pleasure), but the teaching strategies are so particular that I felt certain I would end up confusing my children.<br><br>
It's good to hear from those of you who have real-life experience with Montessori classrooms, and to know that I'm probably overthinking this.