Montessori School

From Mommyplace.com WiKI Page

My wife and I grew up in traditional schools, and never gave any other options much thought. When we had kids, we looked for the right school for them, and happened to stumble upon a Montessori School, which has worked out great!

I'm not a Montessori fanatic, and I probably couldn't tell you what the main priciples of Montessori education are, but I can tell you what I like about my kids' experience, and what has worked out well.

First, it is not a traditional classroom experience, with desks facing forward and a teacher lecturing to kids all day long about the value of conformity. Instead, the classroom is structured around free choice. Kids do have a schedule, and there is a teacher with an agenda that keeps track of each kid and makes sure they are progressing, but each kid gets to DECIDE what they choose to work on at any given moment. What a concept. So, my 5 year old son loves reading, but not math. My 6 year old daughter likes both. Each of their teachers encourages them to explore what they like, but also gently directs them toward any areas that they are neglecting.

I am amazed at what they are both learning. My daughter (this is embarassing) told me that I shouldn't drink beer anymore because it would destroy my liver. She also likes to tell me about the countries of the world (She knows more Latin American countries than I do, but then I'm dumb) and is currently working with chemistry models normally used by College students (she is 6).

Montessori isn't perfect, and it isn't for every kid, but it should be in every parent's consideration set.