Montessori resources
In a recent podcast, we discussed Montessori. You can practice Montessori methods at home as well as in a classroom environment. For example, we don’t really use sippy cups in our home - we have some, but I think they’re a pain to use, so I don’t take them out unless there’s a reason for it. People say, well my child would spill or pour their drink out if I gave them a regular cup. The reason for that is since they’re used to a sippy cup, they’re not as careful with a regular cup and use it like they would a sippy cup. Do we have spills - accidental or purposeful - absolutely! But not nearly often as one would expect from a 1 year old child. Are we all Montessori in our house - no way - we’re just not that organized. We just feel that, in general, Montessori methods allow children to be more independent. Tom and I were just commenting that if something happened and Noah and Kellan were stuck at home together, Noah would probably be able to take care of himself and his brother until food ran out - that may just be Noah’s “I’ll do it myself” personality. I think it’s more likely a combination of the school and his personality.
Montessori Organizations.
If you’re looking for a Montessori school, you can find a school or find out if the school you’re considering is listed at any of these sites. There is also information throughout. I don’t know what it takes to get listed, but in my opinion, it gives credibility to that school:
American Montessori Society
The Montessori Foundation / Montessori Online
Montessori Connections
Montessori: The International Montessori Index
North American Montessori Teacher’s Association
What to Look for in a Montessori Classroom:
The next thing is to observe the class for a few hours. Our school’s website outlines the following in what to look for in that observation period:
1. Are the children happy? Are they enjoying what they are doing? Is there an aura of happiness in the classroom atmosphere?
2. Are the children involved and interacting with the materials? Are the majority of the children absorbed in what they are doing?
3. Are the children treated with respect?
4. Do the adults listen to the children?
5. Do the adults appear to trust the children? Do the children appear free?
6. Are the children encouraged to be creative - imaginative - in what they say and in their art work?
7. Do the adults respect the child’s work and encourage the children?
8. Are the learning materials easily available to the children? Do they seem appropriate?
9. Are the children working for their own satisfaction?
10. How much of the day is spent on individual activities (those of the children’s choosing) and how much time on group activities?
11. Are most activities initiated by the children or by the directress or director?
12. How much do the children do for themselves and how much is done for them? Is independence fostered?
13. Is there a quiet hum of activity?
14. Do the children appear relaxed and secure?
15. Does the directress or director have a pleasant expression of his/her face?
16. Does the classroom environment appear attractive and orderly?
17. Is there a place for everything? Do the children put their work “back in it’s place?”
18. Do the adults appear to love their work and the children?
19. Does the appearance and manner of the directress or director suggest professionalism?
20. If you were a child, would you want to be in this classroom?
Montessori Material Manufacturers
Lastly, most Montessori material is pretty expensive - too expensive to have in the home. It’s one of the reasons why Montessori schools are more expensive than other schools. We discovered this when we went out looking at cheaper options for preschool. If you’re wealthy, go for it - buy the stuff for your home, although I’ll admit some of the activities are pretty complicated and may be best for the school environment. We can barely afford Montessori school, so buying stuff for the home isn’t an option for us. For anyone considering Montessori, I would encourage you to compare what the school has to the material on these websites:
Michael Olaf
Neinhaus
Montessori-n-Such
Montessori Services
http://www.bruinsmontessori.com/
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